A devastated Darren Lehmann has become the first national cricketer to be suspended for a racial slur, banned for five one-day internationals by the International Cricket Council.

Lehmann, who had apologised for yelling "black c*****" after his dismissal against Sri Lanka during a one-day match in Brisbane on Wednesday, was suspended after a three-hour ICC hearing in Adelaide on Saturday.

ICC match referee Clive Lloyd ignored a plea by Sri Lankan coach Dav Whatmore not to suspend the South Australian and Yorkshire captain, saying Lehmann's comments were "deeply offensive" and could not be condoned.

New South Wales batsman Michael Clarke was summoned into Australia's one-day squad as a replacement for Lehmann, who will be sidelined for the remainder of the tri-series involving the Lankans and England.

The suspension, however, gives Lehmann some chance of contesting Australia's opening World Cup fixture next month as Australia has a minimum of four and maximum of five limited overs internationals before then.

Australia cannot replace Lehmann in its World Cup squad because injury is the only criteria for a change.

Lehmann was forlorn after the hearing at an Adelaide hotel, reading a brief statement before departing to attend the christening of his twin son and daughter.

"I would like to place on record the fact that I had a fair hearing," Lehmann said.

"I accept the penalty handed down and would like to say once again how regretful I am that the incident took place.

"I meant no offence by my comments and again would like to apologise for making them.

"I would also like to thank the Sri Lankan team for their support and understanding in this matter."

Lehmann is the second Australian to be suspended by the ICC.

Former wicketkeeper Ian Healy was banned for three one-day matches for a bat throwing incident in South Africa in early 1997.

The ICC hearing was attended by legal counsel for the cricketing body and Lehmann and Sri Lankan team management including Whatmore, cricket adviser Duleep Mendez and team manager Ajit Jayasekera.

Lloyd said Lehmann, who faced a maximum suspension of eight one-day internationals and four Test matches, had breached the ICC's racial vilification code.

"Darren's comments could be interpreted as deeply offensive and I do not think that we can condone such things in sport or life in general," Lloyd said.

"He does have an impeccable record but the point is we have a code of conduct and we must abide by it.

"I don't think we wanted to make an example of anybody, the point is we have to abide by a code and it doesn't matter who you are.

"As sportsmen we have to show the way, we have to be above those sort of things."

Lehmann's legal counsel, Greg Griffin, who sat through the hearing, said the lefthanded batsman would not appeal the suspension.

"He's very disappointed but he was very gratified by the testimonial support he received from the Sri Lankan witnesses that spoke very highly of him as a person and as a cricketer," Griffin said.

"It still doesn't lessen the fact that he feels quite devastated by the result and the suspension."

Griffin said Lehmann should not be branded a racist.

"(It) is an unfortunate outburst for which he has paid a very high price," Griffin said.

"This was a comment not made to any person and was made basically to a wall.

"Dav (Whatmore) actually stated in his evidence that Darren is held in very high regard by the Sri Lankan team, that they did not want to see him suspended, that they wanted to play cricket against him.

"Darren is not a racist, he doesn't have a racist bone in his body and that's why it was so important the Sri Lankans were so solid in ... support of him."

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