Andrew Gale: Yorkshire captain given second abuse ban

Yorkshire captain Andrew Gale has been given a second two-match ban following an abusive altercation with Lancashire batsman Ashwell Prince last month.

Gale missed the final two games of the season after being reported for "using language or gesture that is obscene or of a serious insulting nature".

However, the matter was referred to the Cricket Discipline Commission, who have imposed another suspension.

The 30-year-old has also been ordered to attend an anger management course.

No formal hearing was convened by the CDC at the request of all parties involved.

Gale allegedly refused the word "Kolpak" to refer to Prince, a former South Africa Test player, during a Championship match between their two counties.

It was expected that the case against Gale would centre on whether his use of the word could be construed as racist.

However, there was no mention of the word in the CDC's official statement, which read: "He acknowledges and deeply regrets that the words he used caused any offence and, in particular, that they could have caused offence as a result of the reference to the nationality of the person to whom they were made.

"Mr Gale wishes to express that this was absolutely not his intention."

The ban means Gale will miss next season's curtain-raiser against the MCC and Yorkshire's first match in defence of their Championship title.