New cricket boss threatens bans

Clarke has demanded "serious professionalism"

New England and Wales Cricket Board chairman Giles Clarke has warned players may face suspensions if they fail to adhere to disciplinary rules.

Clarke said he would consider banning Paul Collingwood and Andrew Flintoff if there was a repeat of recent incidents.

Clarke told BBC Sport: "I don't see why they shouldn't be [banned]. I think people understand that with privilege and money comes responsibility."

But former England captain Alec Stewart warned Clarke not to interfere.

Interview: Giles Clarke

Stewart told BBC Sport: "I'm a little concerned to hear Giles Clarke talk like that.

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"To me, it's very much the coach or manager of a cricket team that sets out the rules and then follows through with any procedures that are needed.

"He is chairman, but if you start getting outside influence into a team environment then it can certainly unsettle a team."

Earlier this month England fined one-day captain Collingwood £1,000 after he went to a lap-dancing club on the eve of Sunday's Twenty20 match against South Africa.

In March Flintoff was sacked as England vice-captain following a drinking session.

After leaving a nightclub close to the team's St Lucia hotel, Flintoff got into a pedalo in the early hours and later needed to be rescued after falling off it, according to media reports.

Clarke added: "We're not going to get proper athletes and a decent team if people do not have the right attitude as professionals in their sport.

We have to hope the deity does a better deal for us with the weather next summer Giles Clarke

"Head coach Peter Moores is clear on what he wants to see happen and has set down parameters on what is expected.

"We need serious professionalism at all levels if we're going to win the Ashes back."

One of Clarke's main aims will be to see England competing on a more level footing with Australia for the Ashes, with the next contest in England in 2009.

He said: "Winning the Ashes shouldn't be a once in a generation thing. Why shouldn't we win it at as much as the Aussies have won it in the past?"

The new chief voiced his worries at the financial state of some county sides after a summer disrupted by matches called off because of rain.

"It is very serious indeed," he said. "The losses Worcestershire have suffered because of the loss of home games has been enormous.

"If it wasn't for Percy Price their chairman, who they owe a great deal, they would be in an extremely serious situation.

"Gloucestershire lost the whole of the Cheltenham festival, which is massive matter for them, and counties lost Twenty20 games which is the bread-and-butter income they depend on.

"It's very serious and we have to hope the deity does a better deal for us with the weather next summer, and we have to see what we can do at the centre to help."