Increase in cricketers playing under false names since introduction of PlayHQ

The number of Darwin cricketers competing under a false name has reached ‘unacceptable’ levels amid a surge in bad behaviour and one player entering a private property to fetch a ball.

The number of players competing in the Darwin & District Cricket Competition under false names has reached “unacceptable” levels, an internal email has revealed.

In a missive to all local clubs, Darwin Cricket Management Committee president Lachlan Baird said there had been difficulties switching from MyCricket to PlayHQ for administrative duties, but it did not excuse the issue.

“While I appreciate it has not always been the smoothest transition to PlayHQ, the number of players we have had play under false/incorrect names in 2023 is simply unacceptable,” Baird said.

“The offending player will be penalised and the offending club will lose all match points for cricket played on that day, regardless of grade.”

Baird told this publication it had been about five or six players in the lower grades so far this season but the issue had been largely resolved.

The Darwin & District Cricket Competition shared a “Play by the Rules” infographic on Facebook recently following reports of scorers and volunteers “on the verge of tears” in junior cricket.

The league has read the riot act to Darwin cricketers after the increase in using false names. Picture: Che Chorley

Baird said the rollout of PlayHQ had been “terrific” by Cricket Australia and NT Cricket but the realities were a new platform can cause stresses and strains on users.

“Couple that with people who are new to the game, and sometimes offers of help are misconstrued,” he said.

“Often, the delivery is just as important as the message and this has settled down significantly since the teething issues of a new platform have been resolved.”

PINT captain Manmeet Singh and Gurjot Singh both received suspended bans for a similar charge.

It comes amid a raft of bad behaviour in Darwin cricket with seven players receiving bans following two rounds of cricket in late May.

“Player behaviour and conduct continues to be subpar across our senior competition,” he said.

“The data is plainly there for clubs to see.”

PlayHQ has been introduced as a replacement to MyCricket.

Meanwhile, clubs have been reminded to not allow players to enter private property to fetch balls, and for captains to attend matches with spare match balls

“Under no circumstances should a player enter a private premises without permission, and should not be jumping fences in order to retrieve a ball that has found itself out of reach,” it read.

Baird said the competition had received a complaint about a player collecting a ball from a backyard, but it was usually a rare occurrence.

Baird also said it was getting “increasingly difficult” to attract volunteers to the sport while the competition was currently “stretched for grounds”.

He said there had been a 30 per cent increase in teams across the senior and junior competitions since 2020, with the introduction of a fourth division on Saturdays.

The competition installed matting at Berry Springs Oval to bring it back for play last year, and will look to put matting on local school grounds.

‘Draconian’: Tiger captain’s cricket ban overturned

A premiership-winning captain’s ban for dissent has been overturned days after a Darwin cricket governing body amended competition rules while apologising for an “overstep” in the penalty.

Michael Kudra was banned for a day’s play for dissent after he was dismissed in the 50-over grand final against Waratah on May 28.

The 20-year-old skipper did not appeal the charge and accepted the penalty.

However in the days following the Darwin Cricket Management Committee (DCMC) changed rules surrounding lower level misconduct offences for those with unblemished records, effectively allowing Kudra to take the field last Saturday against Tracy Village.

Before the 2021 season, the committee introduced a fixed penalty policy for code of conduct offences.

Nightcliff captain Michael Kudra ahead of the 2023 Darwin Cricket season. Picture: Patch Clapp

It provided an option for players cited by match officials to accept a charge administratively rather than proceed to a formal tribunal hearing with lower level misconduct offences.

However at the end of the 2022 season, following consultation with clubs, it was amended to remove the good behaviour aspect for level one offences.

Then, following the 50-over grand final where Kudra was charged for dissent, the committee and the umpires association recognised the decision did not appropriately allow for players who have unblemished records to be appropriately sanctioned for some misconduct offences.

The competition then reintroduced good behaviour penalties in respect to several level one offences, including showing dissent to an umpire’s decision by word or action, excessive appealing and any other misconduct deemed level one by an umpire.

However day-bans handed to Tracy Village’s Vincent Huf and Sanjay Anandrajah remained as they were suspended for damaging equipment.

This publication understands the committee was keen to bring in the change as the season turned towards the two-day competition.

Nightcliff captain Michael Kudra's ban for dissent was overturned in the 2023 Darwin Cricket season.

In an email to all clubs outlining the changes last week, committee president Lachlan Baird said the initial penalty was “draconian”.

“(We) remain committed to ensuring the competition is a safe and welcoming environment for players, match officials and spectators,” Baird said.

“However, that must be balanced with a proportionate response when incidents occur.

“The competition apologises for any consternation caused by what was, with the benefit of recent events, an overstep in respect of some misconduct matters in the DDCC.

“For the avoidance of doubt, this change is being made retrospectively.”

When asked what the catalyst was for the rule change, Baird said the process to change the rules was already underway before the 50-over grand final.

“The Commissioners sent the competition a clear message with the sanction given to (Max) Hatzoglou,” he said.

The Tracy Village skipper received a reprimand for dissent following an LBW decision in round 3.

“It was observed that in circumstances where some players had unblemished records for prolonged periods of time, offences that were not serious and not creating a harmful environment for out officials did not warrant or necessitate a draconian response,” he said.

He said the committee did not receive any complaints following Kudra’s ban.

However he said there was a level of disappointment about a player with plenty of playing experience and an unblemished record received a penalty for a level one offence.

Originally published as Increase in cricketers playing under false names since introduction of PlayHQ