Burleigh Kookaburra Cup player accused of ball tampering breaks his silence on six-week ban

The player at the centre of the Kookaburra Cup’s ball-tampering controversy has taken aim at Cricket Gold Coast over the saga that has now sparked his immediate exit, denying any involvement in the incident.

THE player at the centre of the Kookaburra Cup’s ball-tampering controversy has taken aim at Cricket Gold Coast over the saga that has now sparked his immediate exit, denying any involvement in the incident.

In a stunning twist to the scandal that has rocked the first grade competition, the Burleigh star, who has asked to remain anonymous, claimed his suspension was part of a “crooked, petty, vindictive” campaign to rub him out of the club’s premiership defence.

The player was last week handed a six-week ban for ball-tampering on day two of the Bullsharks’ 100-run win over Broadbeach Robina on February 2, leaving him free to feature in the finals beginning on March 23.

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However, he has now agreed to part ways with Burleigh, where he had been a key figure in their run to the top of the table.

Burleigh president Steve Miller confirmed the club and the player had reached an amicable agreement to part ways.

The ball tampering scandal has rocked the Kookaburra Cup competition.

He also rejected claims the player was made a scapegoat in the ball-tampering scandal.

The player said the damage to the ball, which first occurred when it was hit into Crowe Howarth Oval’s Aussie rules dugouts but made worse by the perpetrator, was “was amateurish and unsubtle”.

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“The umpires made a report (about the ball) and the following week a member of the board from Cricket Gold Coast rang Burleigh to discuss possible action to be taken. The board indicated that they wanted Burleigh to name someone responsible for the action and that a failure to comply would result in a maximum ban of 12 weeks for the captain (TJ Miller),” he said.

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“However, the board didn’t say they wanted just any name - they threatened, without any evidence, that mine was the only name they would accept. Still carrying an injury to my hip and obviously not wanting to see the captain banned, we decided that I would take responsibility thinking that I would get a much-needed rest and that would be the end of it.”

The saga comes less than 12 months after Australian cricket was embroiled in a ball tampering matter. Picture: AFP

The player said the CGC board had also told Burleigh officials he would receive a reduced sentence – likely two weeks - if named as the perpetrator, a deal that never eventuated.

A Cricket Gold Coast official politely declined to comment.

“The motivation behind their threat is hardly difficult to fathom. The board is made up of representatives from other clubs (so) it is in their interest to have me gone,” the player claimed.

“I did not do the damage to the ball that I have been accused of. It is one thing to take responsibility for something you didn’t do when you are making a basic mathematical decision.

“It is another thing to take responsibility when you are faced with the prospect of the situation exploding and affecting your personal life. I am leaving because I am appalled at the way the board has handled the issue and I wish Burleigh the best of luck with the rest of their campaign.”