Investigation results into on-field brawl between Salisbury North and Grand Masters cricketers hidden

A player acting as an umpire was sent to hospital with a broken nose and banned for the rest of the season after a cricket brawl – but the report is secret.

An investigation following an on-field brawl at a suburban cricket match between Grand Masters and Salisbury North last month found players guilty and banned for two matches. Picture: File

A local cricket association has refused to publicly reveal the results of an investigation into an on-field brawl where a player was sent to hospital.

However the Grand Masters Cricket Club has told The Messenger its hospitalised player, who was acting as an umpire, has been suspended for the remainder of the season.

The alleged incident occurred in a Para Districts Cricket Association LO1 match between Salisbury North and Grand Masters at Victoria Park on Saturday, January 16.

Police and paramedics were called to the game after a “heated verbal altercation had occurred between an umpire and players”.

The umpire, who was also a Grand Masters player but acting as an official, sustained an injury to his nose.

Almost a month after the incident, Para District Cricket Association president Andrew Quinlish said “the matter has been dealt with (and) no further comment will be made”.

However, Grand Masters spokesman said both teams were ordered to sit out for two weeks after the incident while the PDCA executive committee conducted an investigation.

The spokesman said all players were then interviewed as part of the association’s investigation and each were asked to give a statement into what occurred.

According to the Grand Masters spokesman, the club captain was banned for one match for not controlling the players, while the injured umpire was suspended for the remainder of the season.

Para Districts Cricket Association is refusing to release the results of an investigation into an on-field brawl. Picture: File

“We asked them why he (the umpire) should be suspended as he’s the victim,” the Grand Masters spokesman said.

“But they heard from both sides and they had to listen to both sides and make a call.

“I think the victim is disappointed but we believe the PDCA investigation is fair and unbiased so we can’t proceed further.

“We’ve discussed it and we want to move on.”

Grand Masters was originally set to press charges with the police against Salisbury North players but the spokesman said upon advice, the club had decided against it.

“The player who was assaulted told me the police have closed the case due to a lack of evidence,” the spokesman said.

“If he wanted, he could’ve gone to a lawyer and take the case further but the player won’t be doing that because of the expenses involved.”

Salisbury North president Jason Collard did not comment on the incident.

A SAPOL spokesman said “the matter has been investigated by police and is now complete”.

“No further action will be taken (and) all parties have been advised of the outcome”, the statement continued.

The South Australian Cricket Association declined to comment.