T20, BBL star Chris Green banned after response to physical violence threat in Sydney grade cricket
A Big Bash League captain has been suspended after being caught up in an ugly grade cricket incident where he was threatened with physical violence. Find out more here.
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Sydney Thunder captain Chris Green has been handed a one-game suspension for his part in an ugly incident in grade cricket where he was threatened with physical violence.
Green was originally facing a mammoth five-match suspension, however, findings from a Sydney Premier Cricket judiciary panel found the star Australian T20 international was largely the victim in an explosive match that was on the verge of getting out of control.
Penrith player Luke Hodges was handed a three-match ban at the judiciary for threat of an opposition player, after he allegedly threatened to punch Green, who was playing for Northern Districts in a two-day game last month.
It’s understood Green responded to the effect of, ‘if that’s your issue, we can go sort it out,’ and that was enough for umpires to also hit him with a serious charge of threatening behaviour.
However, the judiciary commissioner found at a hearing earlier this week with the assistance of conclusive video footage that there was no proof in Green’s body language or words that he was acting in a threatening manner, and the charge was dropped down to a level one spirit of cricket infringement.
Penrith captain Ryan Gibson, a former South Australian first-class cricketer and BBL player was also whacked with a huge five-match suspension for a separate incident, where he was found guilty of intimidating an umpire.
Green was allowed to take the field for NSW in Friday’s Sheffield Shield match against South Australia, and can serve his one-game suspension in grade cricket.
When contacted by this masthead, Green confirmed he was threatened with physical violence but said he regretted his own response to the sledging and should have said nothing.
It’s understood after the initial confrontation between Hodges and Green, another Penrith player continued threatening the prospect of violence in the car park after play.
Green declined to comment but said at no point did he fear for his safety, and he left the field shortly after being dismissed as he was 12th man in an ongoing Shield match for NSW.
Privately NSW Cricket sources have defended Green and say he can hardly be blamed for standing up for himself after being personally targeted over a sustained period of the grade match where he made 76 batting at No.4.
His status as a Big Bash glamour boy, past scrutiny over his bowling action, and the unorthodox road he has taken to represent Australia in Twenty20 cricket has made him a lightning rod for on-field abuse, and he was notably sledged by Hobart’s Matthew Wade in a Big Bash match two summers ago.
The man who oversees officiating at Cricket NSW, Chief Premier Cricket & Country Cricket Officer, Darren Goodger, said the Spirit of Cricket was sacrosanct.
“There is nothing more important in our game at all levels than respect for the Spirit of Cricket, which includes for the role and authority of match officials, the opposition, your own captain and teammates,” Goodger said in a statement to this masthead.
All NSW Premier Cricket players are aware of their responsibilities in this area and the Code of Conduct.
“This is a regrettable incident for all involved, but one that has seen a fair and judicious process occur, including the provision of sanctions.”
Penrith Cricket Club declined to comment on the incident and Northern Districts did not respond to a request to comment.
The two umpires officiating in the fixture were highly experienced and included Sharad Patel, who has umpired in first-class, Big Bash and Women’s Big Bash matches.
There has been a recent crackdown in Sydney Grade Cricket on poor on-field behaviour.
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Originally published as T20, BBL star Chris Green banned after response to physical violence threat in Sydney grade cricket
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