CRICKET:England captain Andrew Strauss has reminded his players of their responsibilities after Kevin Pietersen's latest Twitter faux pas. Pietersen was last night fined an undisclosed amount, reported to be £3,000 (€3,750), by the England Cricket Board (ECB) after he criticised Sky television commentator Nick Knight on the social networking site.

Team director Andy Flower and managing director of cricket Hugh Morris determined that Pietersen’s Tweet – which read “Can somebody PLEASE tell me how Nick Knight has worked his way into the commentary box for Home Tests?? RIDICULOUS!!” – was “prejudicial to the interests of the ECB and a breach of the England player conditions of employment”.

England are understandably keen not to ruffle the feathers of an organisation whose broadcast deal provides the overwhelming majority of their income stream.

Strauss insisted the issue would not be a distraction to England ahead of today’s second Test against the West Indies, but was clear about the fact that all players must abide by an agreed standard of behaviour.