Bad behaviour of Essex costs Foster two-match ban

(GETTY IMAGES)

James Foster, the Essex captain, was banned for two matches last night for his side's repeated disciplinary offences.

The county was fined £5,000 for failing to take prompt action or trying to prevent future breaches as the England and Wales Cricket Board seeks to stop the spread of misbehaviour.

Five players from the county have been found guilty of misdemeanours on the field in the last year when Foster was captain, prompting a meeting of the three-man disciplinary panel.

Its statement said: "We are disappointed that Essex had taken no prompt action following umpires' reports on misconduct of players. No management policy to safeguard against potential future incidents is in place. The regulations make it absolutely clear that the captain is responsible for discipline on the field and ensuring no repetition occurs."

Foster will miss Twenty20 matches tonight and on Friday.