Ugly face of cricket: Player banned for life for physical altercation
Bermuda Cricket Board finds Jason Anderson guilty of Level 4 breach of Code of Conduct
Image grabs from the video.
The gentlemen’s game cricket has seen a growing trend of sledging and intense arguments between players on the field but a physical fight is a rather rare scene on the field.
However, in a domestic game in Bermuda, an international wicketkeeper Jason Anderson was banned for life for getting involved in an ugly altercation with the opposing batsman George O’Brien.
In the match between Cleveland County Cricket Club and Willow Cuts Cricket Club, Anderson was seen arguing with O’Brien in between the overs and what happened next was as ugly as it could get with the wicketkeeper wrestling the batsman to the ground as the latter swung his bat at him.
Players, officials and even members of the Bermuda Police Service moved to diffuse the situation. Anderson, who represented Cleveland County Cricket Club, was asked to leave the field by the club president Carlton Smith. The match resumed after the incident and Cleveland County won the match by 72 runs.
The Bermuda Cricket Board reviewed the video footage and found Anderson guilty of a Level 4 Breach of the Code of Conduct. He was handed a life-ban from any involvement in cricket in Bermuda. O'Brien, who was charged with a Level 3 Breach of Conduct, was handed a six-month ban from all cricket.
In an interview to the Royal Gazette, Cleveland County skipper Allan Douglas could not pinpoint the reason as to why the incident took place.
"I think a little bit of frustration built up by Jason, dropping a catch and missing a stumping, but I don't know what was said between George and Jason because I was at the other end of the wicket (bowling)," Douglas said, as quoted by NDTV.
"We condemn this act without reservation and support the Bermuda Police Service, the Bermuda Cricket Board of Control as well as the Willow Cuts and Cleveland County Clubs as they seek to end this irrational behavior on our sporting grounds and community,” read a Bermuda Cricket Board statement.
The Cleveland County Cricket Club also took action and banned Anderson for life. They stated that they were willing to help the player sort out his temperament issues.
Watch the brawl here:
However, in a domestic game in Bermuda, an international wicketkeeper Jason Anderson was banned for life for getting involved in an ugly altercation with the opposing batsman George O’Brien.
In the match between Cleveland County Cricket Club and Willow Cuts Cricket Club, Anderson was seen arguing with O’Brien in between the overs and what happened next was as ugly as it could get with the wicketkeeper wrestling the batsman to the ground as the latter swung his bat at him.
Players, officials and even members of the Bermuda Police Service moved to diffuse the situation. Anderson, who represented Cleveland County Cricket Club, was asked to leave the field by the club president Carlton Smith. The match resumed after the incident and Cleveland County won the match by 72 runs.
The Bermuda Cricket Board reviewed the video footage and found Anderson guilty of a Level 4 Breach of the Code of Conduct. He was handed a life-ban from any involvement in cricket in Bermuda. O'Brien, who was charged with a Level 3 Breach of Conduct, was handed a six-month ban from all cricket.
In an interview to the Royal Gazette, Cleveland County skipper Allan Douglas could not pinpoint the reason as to why the incident took place.
"I think a little bit of frustration built up by Jason, dropping a catch and missing a stumping, but I don't know what was said between George and Jason because I was at the other end of the wicket (bowling)," Douglas said, as quoted by NDTV.
"We condemn this act without reservation and support the Bermuda Police Service, the Bermuda Cricket Board of Control as well as the Willow Cuts and Cleveland County Clubs as they seek to end this irrational behavior on our sporting grounds and community,” read a Bermuda Cricket Board statement.
The Cleveland County Cricket Club also took action and banned Anderson for life. They stated that they were willing to help the player sort out his temperament issues.
Watch the brawl here: