Australian cricketer O'Keefe fined for drunken remarks

Australian Test star Stephen O'Keefe has been fined Aus 20,000 (USD15,000) for making "highly inappropriate" comments while drunk during a cricket function and ordered to undergo counselling, authorities said today.

The spinner, one of the best bowlers during Australia's recent four-Test series in India, was also banned from playing in the Australian one-day domestic competition

this year.

It is the second time the 32-year-old has been in alcohol-fuelled trouble, after being fined last year for offensive conduct at a Sydney hotel.

"There is no time or place for unacceptable behaviour from any of our players in Australian cricket, and we continue to take a zero-tolerance approach to this," said Cricket Australia team performance general manager Pat Howard.

"We're extremely disappointed this situation occurred, particularly on the back of a previous incident, and it now overshadows Stephen's on field performance on the recent tour of India."

O'Keefe said he accepted the fine and would undergo "specialist counselling" as demanded.