Australia seamer James Pattinson banned for first Pakistan Test following alleged homophobic slur

Pattinson reportedly directed the comment towards Queensland batsman Cameron Gannon while playing for Victoria in a recent Sheffield Shield match

James Pattinson will miss Australia's first Test against Pakistan after receiving a suspension for an alleged homophobic slur.

Pattinson reportedly directed the comment towards Queensland batsman Cameron Gannon while playing for Victoria in a recent Sheffield Shield match.

The seamer accepted a charge of breaching the article of Cricket Australia's code of conduct relating to personal abuse.

It is Pattinson's third breach of the code in the past 18 months, triggering a one-game suspension.

“James Pattinson has been found guilty of a level two breach of Article 2.1.3 of Cricket Australia’s Code of Conduct for personal abuse of a player while fielding during Victoria’s Sheffield Shield match against Queensland,” a CA statement read.

“Pattinson admitted to the breach, which had been reported by umpires John Ward and Shawn Craig to match referee David Talalla. Pattinson apologies immediately and unreservedly to the opponent and the umpires and did not contest the charge.

^{James Pattinson will miss Australia's first Test against Pakistan}

“Pattinson had previously been found guilty of two level one Code of Conduct breaches over the past year for which he received a reprimand (Article 2.1.2, March 14, Sheffield Shield, versus New South Wales) and a 100 per cent match fee fine (Article 2.1.4, March 21, Sheffield Shield, versus South Australia).”

“I made a mistake in the heat of the moment,” Pattinson said. “Straight away I realised I was in the wrong, and I apologised immediately, both to the opponent and to the umpires.

“I have done the wrong thing and accept the penalty. I’m gutted to miss a Test match, but the standards are there for a reason and the fault is mine.”

Pattinson's previous two indiscretions, both in March, were less serious and received a reprimand and a 100 per cent of match fee fine.

“We have a duty to uphold the highest standards of behaviour and the action taken in this matter demonstrates that,” Cricket Australia head of integrity Sean Carroll said. “On this occasion, James acknowledges he fell short of that expectation.”

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