Lee officially reprimanded for code of conduct breach

Australia's Brett Lee has been officially reprimanded for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct during his country's third Test match against South Africa.

Lee was found guilty of showing dissent at an umpire's decision by action or verbal abuse by ICC Match Referee Chris Broad in a hearing after play concluded on the second day in Sydney.

Lee was found to have breached Level 1.3 of the ICC Code which relates to showing dissent at an umpire's decision by action or verbal abuse.

All Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand and a maximum penalty of a fifty per cent fine of a player's match fee.

The charge was brought by on-field umpires Aleem Dar and Billy Bowden and third umpire Bob Parry.

Chris Broad reached his conclusion after a hearing attended by all three umpires, Australian team manager Steve Bernard, captain Ricky Ponting and Brett Lee.

For Level 1 breaches of the ICC Code of Conduct the ICC Match Referee's decision is final and binding.