West Indian all-rounder Dwayne Bravo said he apologised to England batsman Michael Yardy immediately after realising that he had claimed the catch on a half-volley in their last league match of the Champions Trophy at Ahmedabad.
Bravo was charged with breach of an ICC Code of Conduct for failing to conduct play within the spirit of the game on October 28 but ruled not guilty by match referee Mike Procter on Monday.
"I thought I had it (catch) clean, but after coming back in the dressing room and seeing the replay I saw the ball bounce before it got to my hands," Bravo said.
"I immediately went to the England dressing room and apologised to Yardy because I really did not know the ball had bounced. He understood and accepted my apology," he was quoted as saying in the West Indies Cricket Board's official website.
The Trinidadian claimed that since his eyes were not on the ball while taking the catch, he had thought it was a clean grab.
"While taking the catch, my eyes were not on the ball because I was diving and I did not see the ball hit the ground. Naturally, I feel bad about it because it is not something that I would ever do intentionally and it is not something that is part of my game. If I knew the ball had bounced while taking the catch I would have told the skipper right away," he said.
