Joe Clarke has been sanctioned by the England & Wales Cricket Board, alongside his former Worcestershire teammate Tom Kohler-Cadmore, following a disciplinary hearing.
Although Clarke was handed a four-match suspension, he remains available for selection having already missed the England Lions tour of India during the winter.
A statement issued by the ECB stated the following:
The Cricket Discipline Commission (CDC) Disciplinary Panel today announced its decision in cases brought against Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Joe Clarke.
The players were charged with a breach of the ECB’s directive 3.3 which states: “No Participant may conduct themself in a manner or do any act or omission at any time which may be prejudicial to the interests of cricket or which may bring the ECB, the game of cricket or any Cricketer or group of Cricketers into disrepute.” Both players admitted the charge brought against them.
The Panel held a hearing today to consider the charges, during which it took the decision to issue the following penalty, in four parts.
Firstly, both players received an official reprimand.
The Panel also ordered the players to attend a suitable course of educational training, under the supervision of the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA) and ECB.
The Panel has imposed a suspension of four matches on both players. It is accepted that this suspension is deemed served due to the matches the players missed when they were withdrawn from the England Lions tour in January 2019. They will therefore serve no further suspension.
Lastly, the Panel also imposed a fine on the players of £2,000 each.
The Panel took into account the fact that both players cooperated with the ECB from the outset, as well as the evident remorse they have both shown.
Joe Clarke statement:
“With the CDC proceedings completed I would like to apologise to everyone concerned for my involvement in the WhatsApp group.
“I acknowledge that what I did fell well below the standards expected of a professional sportsman. I am relieved I can now put this chapter behind me. I am extremely grateful for the guidance and support I have received from the PCA, Phoenix Management and Nottinghamshire CCC during this difficult time.
“I have learned a great deal over the past two years and I am thankful that I can now move forward and focus wholly on the rest of the season. I hope I can end the year on a positive note with Notts.”