Ex-Windies star Banks banned for ball-tampering

Former West Indies Test all-rounder Omari Banks was on Thursday banned for three matches after admitting ball-tampering when he was bored.

The 26-year-old Banks committed the offence of running his thumb and fingernails over the ball during a Somerset 2nd XI match against Essex.

He did not think anyone had noticed but his behaviour was spotted by the umpires - and five penalty runs were immediately awarded to Essex.

Banks was suspended until July 20 while Somerset were fined 500 pounds and ordered to pay an additional 500 pounds costs.

"He explained during the panel hearing that he did it out of boredom, he knew he should not do it, it was the first time he had done it and that he would not do it again. He did not think the rest of the team noticed," said an England and Wales Cricket Board statement.