World Cup winner James Faulkner said he was "deeply embarrassed and sorry" after being fined £10,000 ($15,650, 14,350 euros) on Wednesday and banned from driving for two years. The 25-year-old all-rounder, who was named man of the match in this year's World Cup final, was nearly three times over the limit when his car was involved in a minor collision with the back of another vehicle in Manchester, north-west England.
Faulkner, who plays with English county Lancashire in the city, had been at a restaurant and did not want to walk a mile home in heavy rain, Manchester Magistrates' Court heard.
Sentencing him, District Judge Mark Hadfield said: "I am sure you accept it was foolhardy in the extreme to get behind the wheel of your vehicle having been out for a meal with your friend."
Lancashire head coach Ashley Giles was present in court.
Cricket Australia last month temporarily banned Faulkner for "conduct that is unbecoming of a representative", meaning he will miss Australia's limited overs matches against England and Ireland in August and September.
He will have to undergo an alcohol management counselling programme.
Outside court, a statement was read to reporters on Faulkner's behalf.
"My decision to drive that day was wholly my own and clearly it was an error in my judgement," the cricketer said.