Local Cricket: Ex-international umpire ‘shocked’ at player behaviour

An ex-ICC umpire has weighed in on the fiery local cricket encounter in Melbourne’s east which led to an umpire leaving mid-match. WATCH THE VIDEO.

Former international cricket umpire Simon Taufel has condemned the player behaviour from a fiery encounter in Melbourne’s east on Saturday which prompted an umpire to walk mid-match.

Vision from the match between Bulleen Templestowe and St David’s in the Box Hill Reporter District CA’s Dorothy McIntosh Shield shows the officiating umpire was met with St David’s players protesting a caught behind non-decision, while players of the opposing sides clashed in a series of heated exchanges.

The umpire waved goodbye and did not return.

The match has been determined a draw, after play was abandoned in the third over as Bulleen Templestowe (0-10) was chasing St David’s’ 7-179 total.

Taufel, who was named ICC Umpire of the Year on five occasions before retiring in 2012, said he was left “shocked” by the vision.

Former ICC umpire Simon Taufel (right) said he was “disappointed and shocked” by the player behaviour.

“It’s a shame to see player behaviour get to the stage where an on-field umpire feels they need to leave the field and leave the players to it,” Taufel told Nine News.

“Very disappointed and shocked.”

St David’s Cricket Club broke its silence on Tuesday afternoon and said it refuted any claims of alleged abuse from its players towards the umpire.

“This matter is still being investigated but there is no suggestion or allegation of the umpire being bullied, harassed or threatened during the game. In his report the umpire has not said he was bullied, harassed or threatened during the game. And to suggest otherwise is false and misleading,” the club said.

The BHRDCA said: “The umpire has not reported that he was threatened, abused or harassed,” a statement read.

BHRDCA president Peter Rosenthal told Leader on Thursday afternoon there was “no update” to the investigation, after the association umpires’ chairman Phil Hermann said on Tuesday morning: “The matter is under investigation and needs to be treated carefully and investigated in the proper manner.”

Cricket Victoria confirmed the investigation remained in the hands of the BHRDCA and the clubs concerned.

“At this stage, there's been nothing that has been formally referred to Cricket Victoria as yet,” Cricket Victoria general manager of communications Hamish Jones told Leader on Thursday afternoon.

Bulleen Templestowe Cricket Club has been contacted for comment.