Two Premier players suspended from Premier Cricket ‘Mankad’ match

Kingston Hawthorn players Sen and Nivin Sathyajith have been suspended over their conduct in the Victorian Premier Cricket Second XI ‘Mankad’ match.

Two Kingston Hawthorn players have been suspended from the Victorian Premier Cricket Second XI match that finished with a “Mankad’’ run-out.

Brothers Sen and Nivin Sathyajith faced the tribunal last night for misconduct in the game against Casey South Melbourne at Walter Galt Reserve in Parkdale.

The charges had nothing to do with two Mankads.

Sen received a 10-match ban – and was directed to complete “empathy training’’ – and Nivin an eight-match penalty (with two suspended until the end of 2023-24 season).

Cricket Victoria said it “won’t be making further comment on the tribunal or its deliberations’’.

A number of Swans players gave evidence at the hearing.

Earlier in the season Sen Sathyajith – who joined the Hawks in 2020-21 after stints at Dandenong and Casey South Melbourne – was found guilty of serious dissent and took a one-match set penalty.

Sen was the bowler who made two “Mankad’’ run-outs late in the match to win it for the Hawks.

The Swans were dismissed for 190 in reply to 8-203.

An emotional Kingston Hawthorn head coach Peter Marshall said today the club would be meeting the brothers tonight to talk over the sanctions.

He said the Hawks would decide “how we should support them the best’’.

“If we just let them go, that’s not going to help their cause,’’ Marshall said.

“However we must learn from it. We must improve. They both need to go away and reflect on their actions and be accountable.

“If they can’t learn from this, if they can’t become better people and better players, then there’s no place for them in the game of cricket.’’

Marshall said he had to defend Kingston Hawks from keyboard-warrior attacks since last Saturday.

“As a club, coaches and players, we’re clearly disappointed and hurt to find two of our players suspended for abuse.

“There’s been a lot of hype, opinions and downright nasty comments made regarding our club, players and coaches.

“We have and will continue to work hard to teach our young group the right way to go about playing the greatest game on earth.

“For those who wish to pass comment, I encourage you to come down to training, come down to Walter Galt and observe what goes on … to get four Premier teams on the park to be competitive.

“Our Academy programs and reaching out to the general bayside community within cricket will continue full-steam ahead. We’ll take on support from Cricket Victoria to make our players better and to play the game of cricket in the right spirit, that being our total focus.’’

He added: “We also expect all other clubs and opposition to also play by the rules.’’

Marshall said he had no wish to discuss the Mankads but pointed out such run-outs were in the rules.

“That’s not my cup of tea,’’ he said.

“I don’t like to win a game of cricket like that. No. However the batsmen were warned and it’s within the rules. I think we need to re-examine those rules. I think there can be a better outcome there. It’s not my desired result to win a game of cricket.’’

The Mankads triggered enormous discussion, with many pointing out they were in the laws of the game, but others steadfast they were not in the spirit of it.

Who reckons the batsmen was cheating? pic.twitter.com/nYhMFT0QHx

— Sam Coates (@SamCoates228) February 19, 2022

St Kilda captain and former first-class player Adam Crosthwaite said it was “horrible’’.

“Cannot believe the people in this post praising the bowler. Are you kidding?’’ he said.

“So the (nonstriker) can just walk out of the crease before the ball is even bowled? He may as well just stay up at the striker’s end if he’s going to be immune from being run out,’’ came a reply.

Andrew Donnison said: “If the batter stayed in their crease it wouldn’t have been an issue, yeah?’’.

Matthew Hodge replied: “Not like the batter is coming down from five yards away and looking to charge down the wicket. Not a good look for the game if the bowlers’ main intention is to do that.’’

There were also suggestions one of the run-outs should have been deemed a dead-ball because the bowler abandoned his run-up before passing the umpire.

Hawks president Brett Sebire said: “Some people think it’s ordinary and not within the spirit of cricket. Others say it’s a law of the game and it is what it is.’’

He declined to comment further.