HARARE, Nov 2: Zimbabwe opening batsman Alistair Campbell has been disciplined by the Zimbabwe Cricket Union after giving an interview to the London-based Daily Telegraph newspaper about racism in Zimbabwe cricket.

A statement issued Friday by the ZCU said Campbell, a former captain of the national side, had breached the International Cricket Conference code of conduct by making comments “detrimental to the game of cricket.”

Following a formal inquiry headed by a judge, Justice Muchechetere), he was banned from playing in the next two Test matches and two international one-day matches.

However, the bans were suspended on condition he does not breach the code of conduct again within the next 12 months.

The code concerned states: “Players or team officials shall not make any public pronouncement or media comment which is detrimental to the game of cricket or to a particular tour.”

Problems of race have plagued cricket for many years in terms of national team selection here.

Earlier this year, the ZCU under its president Peter Chingoka set up a body to examine how more non-whites could be brought into the game and its administration at top level.—AFP