LONDON: England women`s cricket captain Heather Knight has been reprimanded and given a suspended 1,000 ($1,300) fine after a historical photograph of her in `blackface` emerged on social media.

Knight, set to lead England at next month`s Women`s T20 World Cup, said she was `truly sorry` for conduct that was deemed `racist and discriminatory` by Cricket Discipline Commission adjudicator Tim O`Gorman.

However, O`Gorman accepted there was no racist or discriminatory intent by Knight, who was 21 when the image was taken at a fancy dress party in 2012.

Knight, whose fine has been suspended for two years, said in a statement: `I`m truly sorry for the mistake I made in 2012. It was wrong and I have long regretted it.

`Back then, I simply was not as educated as to the implications and consequences of my actions as I have become since. There was no ill-intent meant.

`Whilst I can`t change the past, I am passionate and committed to using my platform to promote inclusivity across the game, ensuring under-represented groups are afforded the same opportunities and fulfilment within the game as I have.

The picture of Knight in blackface was posted to the Facebook account of another person.-AFP