Australia's Lee fined for excessive appeal

ADELAIDE, Dec 4 (Reuters) Australian fast bowler Brett Lee was fined a quarter of his match fee for an excessive appeal in the second Ashes test against England.

Lee was cited by match referee Jeff Crowe when he began celebrating after striking English batsman Kevin Pietersen on the pads without checking to see whether he was out.

West Indian umpire Steve Bucknor ruled in the batsman's favour and Crowe found Lee guilty of excessive appealing for not first checking with the umpire.

Lee said he thought Bucknor had given the batsman out but Crowe disagreed.

''Brett is confused about this verdict in that he thought he saw the umpire gesture that it was out,'' Crowe said in a statement.

''The simple fact is that Brett did not stop and wait for the umpire's actual decision, out or not out, before starting his celebrations, something that has been stipulated over the past three years.'' Australia's players normally receive a match fee of 12,500 Australian dollar 9,842 dollar for each test, meaning Lee is likely to lose 3,125 Australian dollar.

REUTERS PDS BD1628