New Zealand Cricket has been forcedtwice in as many days to deal with off-field misbehavior by players involved inmatches against the touring England team.
On Tuesday fast bowler Doug Bracewell withdrew from the NewZealand team for the first test against England after cutting his foot onbroken glass. Bracewell was cleaning up after a party at his home whichattracted noise complaints from neighbors.
On Wednesday, NZC said it had censured off-spinner JeetanPatel who suffered a minor head injury in an altercation with a nightclubbouncer during a match between a New Zealand XI and England at Queenstown.
Patel was unable to field on the second day of the four-daymatch because of minor concussion. He was socializing with former New Zealandcaptain Daniel Vettori when the incident occured.
In a statement, New Zealand Cricket said it"understands that Jeetan Patel was refused entry to a bar in Queenstown.He subsequently fell and hit his head.
"Patel returned to the team hotel, felt unwell and tookhimself to (hospital)."
Vettori was in Queenstown working with New Zealand Cricket'smedical team as he recovers from an ankle injury which has ruled him out of theEngland series. He is reported to have been helping Patel deal with grief afterthe recent death of his mother.
New Zealand Cricket said it was "deeply disappointedthat a player was drinking during a four-day match.
"Team management...has spoken strongly to Patel andVettori, telling them that their behavior is completely unacceptable. Bothplayers apologized to team management at the time."
Patel later issued a statement, saying "I am sorry formy behavior that evening and I accept that it was totally inappropriate for meto be out drinking during a match where I was representing my country."
Vettori said "my behavior was completely unprofessionalin going out and I should have spent time with Jeetan in another way."