Gibbs to face disciplinary hearing.

South African batsman Herschelle Gibbs will face a disciplinary hearing after admitting to smoking marijuana, the United Cricket Board of South Africa (UCBSA) confirmed on Saturday.

Gibbs arrived back in Cape Town, along with fellow players Jacques Kallis, Gary Kirsten and Paul Adams, as well as team physio Craig Smith on Saturday at the end of a successful 11-week tour to the Caribbean.

Both Adams and Smith, along with Gibbs and three other players were found guilty by a misconduct committee of smoking marijuana after the fourth test against the West Indies in an Antiguan hotel room on April 10.

All were fined 10,000 rand ($1,250).

"The UCBSA confirms that it does not condone any illegal action by any of its players or officials," a statement said.

"Action was taken against those squad members by the on-tour misconduct committee and the UCBSA endorses that action.

"However, the executive committee of the UCBSA has decided that the case of Herschelle Gibbs, who was under a suspended sentence, be referred to the disciplinary committee."

Gibbs, 29, was fined 15,000 rand ($1,875) and suspended for three matches following a reprimand for "unbecoming conduct" during a one-day series against Australia last year.

He was discovered in a night club in the early hours before the start of a one-day international.

Of that sentence, 10,000 rand and the three-match ban were suspended.

Gibbs has been dogged by disciplinary problems.

He was banned for six months last year after admitting agreeing to accept money from disgraced former South African captain Hansie Cronje to underperform in a match. He later changed his mind and pulled out of the agreement.

TOUR RAP
Earlier on the tour of the West Indies he was reprimanded by match referee Mike Denness after showing dissent over his dismissal in the fourth test.

"If I have to face a disciplinary committee there is nothing I can do," Gibbs said on Saturday. "I'll just have to wait until they come to a conclusion."

He refused to comment further.

Smith also issued a statement on Saturday on behalf of the six players involved in the smoking incident.

"The squad members of the South African cricket team who were on tour in the Caribbean would like to clarify a few points with regard to the dope smoking incident," Smith said.

"The players who admitted their involvement to the team and the UCBSA are extremely regretful and remorseful of the incident and would like to apologise to the UCBSA, the cricket loving people of South Africa and the West Indies for their indiscretion.

"Players involved would like to confirm to the South African public that this was a once-off incident and that it will not happen again on any South African cricket team tour.

"The team now considers the dope smoking issue closed and would like to inform all cricket supporters around the world that it will not happen again."

Smith did confirm that the players were not aware that marijuana was illegal in Antigua at the time they smoked it.

Mail Cricket Editor