Two New Zealand radio presenters have been suspended for broadcasting a heated conversation with the all-rounder Ben Stokes's mother.
Radio Hauraki's Jeremy Wells and Matt Heath had been making jibes at Christchurch-born Stokes, who saw four consecutive sixes smashed off his bowling as the West Indies beat England in the final of the ICC World Twenty20 on Sunday.
Stokes's mother Deborah called up to defend her son and was told that the conversation would not be played on air.
However, the exchange was put out live without her consent, which has resulted in the duo being banned by station owners NZME.
"Matt and Jeremy are famous for identifying where the line is and then ignoring it," NZME group programme director Mike McClung said in a statement.
"However, putting Ben's mum to air without her knowledge, albeit defending her son, was obviously well over that line. They've been suitably reprimanded, and are off-air tomorrow."
Stokes moved with his family to England at the age of 12.
Liam Apicella
