Aussie cricketer James Faulkner hit with $21k fine for drink-driving

Australian cricketer James Faulkner has been slapped with a $21,000 fine after being caught behind the wheel at nearly three times the blood alcohol limit in England.

The all-rounder, who is currently playing with Lancashire in country cricket, was stopped on July 2 after the Toyota he was driving collided with a BMW in Manchester.

A subsequent breath test revealed a blood alcohol concentration of 0.10, nearly three times the local limit of 0.035.

Fellow Tasmanian cricketer Tim Paine was also in the car with Faulkner after the pair had shared dinner at a nearby restaurant.

Faulkner, 25, was handed also handed a two-year driving ban after appearing in the Manchester Magistrates Court overnight.

In addition to the £10,000 (A$21,110) fine, Faulkner was ordered to pay £355 (A$753) in court costs.

Faulkner's manager Phil Weston said his client was "deeply embarrassed and sorry" as he read a statement on the player's behalf.

"My decision to drive that day was wholly my own and clearly it was an error in my judgement," Mr Weston said.

"I apologise unreservedly for my behaviour but I accept this does not and should not excuse my actions.

"I want to reiterate my regret for my actions which I know is not fitting of any member of society and particularly a professional sportsman and public figure such as myself."

Cricket Australia has also banned Faulkner for four international matches after he was found to have breached a players’ code of conduct.

Faulkner is not part of the current Ashes Test squad but was expected to feature in the following one-day series.

He was man-of-the-match in Australia’ World Cup final triumph over New Zealand earlier this year.