Nottinghamshire’s Chris Read has been handed a suspended ban for an on-pitch row with Sussex’s Mushtaq Ahmed.
Read was last week reported for “using language or gesture that is obscene or of a serious insulting nature”
Gerard Elias QC, chairman of the ECB discipline commission, threatened a ban of one Championship match if the behaviour is repeated this season.
“I have had regard to the serious and persistent nature of the breaches and the profile of the player,” said Elias.
Read, who was on Friday included in England’s 25-man development squad, said: "I reiterate the apology I made on the day of the incident.
“I would like to apologise again to all concerned for my actions. They were completely out of character and it won’t happen again.”
Read’s initial punishment of three penalty points stands and he faces suspension if he picks up a further six points within two years.
Read, who has started the season in fine form as he strives to win back his England place, was dismissed for a fifth-ball duck by Mushtaq in the Championship match on 10 May at Hove.
He came back from the pavilion to confront the Pakistani spinner, who was fielding on the boundary, and had to be escorted away by a steward and team-mate David Hussey, forcing a break in play.
Sussex captain Chris Adams then left the field to have words with Read in the Notts dressing room.
Both sides denied there had been a physical altercation and Mushtaq was keen to draw a line under the affair.
“These sort of things can happen,” he said afterwards.
"People get angry when they are disappointed and I have every sympathy for Chris, who is a fine cricketer.
“We’ve shaken hands and as far as I’m concerned that is the end of it.”