Cricket fight: Cricket Southern Bayside player suspended over dust-up

Four players appeared before a tribunal after a ground invasion during a match, as the boss of Cricket Victoria put out a plea ahead of local finals.

The ground invasion and assault of a veteran umpire at a suburban cricket match has prompted the head of Cricket Victoria to urge players to uphold the spirit of the game during finals.

On Wednesday night, four Dingley players involved in the push-and shove match against Aspendale appeared before a joint Cricket Southern Bayside and Cricket Victoria tribunal.

One player was banned for two games, one of them suspended.

The other three were cleared of charges of dissent.

Aspendale will front the tribunal next week.

The suspended Dingley player will miss this Saturday’s preliminary final but if the Dingoes win he can return for the grand final.

Dingley and Aspendale were playing a semi-final in CSB Division 1 at Souter Oval.

Spectators ran on the ground and one pushed the umpire after a controversial not-out decision by the square-leg umpire supplied by Aspendale.

Owing to a shortage of umpires in Cricket Southern Bayside this season, only one official umpire stood in the game.

Police were called to the ground, apparently by the parent of a player, and spoke to the umpire, who was left shaken by the incident.

In video footage, one spectator is heard to ask “What the f***k is going on?’’ during the ruckus.

CSB chairman Rod Kimmitt on Thursday confirmed a member of Cricket Victoria integrity panel chaired the tribunal meeting,

“I guess with the speed to get this all done with finals active … we felt we needed someone with their experience and independence,” Mr Kimmitt said.

“The investigation is still ongoing, but Dingley players were still involved in the season, so we thought it was important to concentrate on those cases first to give them a chance, and if they need to appeal they have that opportunity.

“But there is still an ongoing investigation. We do expect to some more charges to be laid.’’

Dingley captain Damien Jordan said the incident had left a bitter taste in his mouth.

He said it was ugly and had the potential to “really get out of control’’.

“In over 28 years of cricket … I’ve never seen anything like that, supporters storm on to the oval and start pushing and shoving players. Never,’’ he said.

“Sitting back after the game … it was a courageous victory for us. We’ve been undermanned all year and we showed a lot of character and we should have been up and about really enjoying that win. Instead we were all pretty shocked and shaken. It left an extremely sour taste.’’

The episode at Dingley followed the abandonment of a North West Metropolitan Cricket Association semi-final between Tullamarine and Strathmore Heights and a brawl between Bellarine Peninsula Cricket Association clubs Queenscliff and Portarlington.

In a message to associations and clubs on Wednesday night, CV chief executive Andrew Ingleton said finals were an exciting time but called for respect.

“Unfortunately, in recent weeks there have been a small number of incidents where players, umpires, volunteers or spectators have been involved in on-field disputes,’’ Ingleton said.

“Sadly, some of these disputes have led to physical confrontations and people being injured.

“This is not in the spirit of the game.’’

He said Cricket Victoria was all for passion in matches, particularly finals, “but there is a line between behaviour that is acceptable and unacceptable’’.

“Victorian cricket has a collective responsibility to deliver a safe and welcoming environment at all clubs and matches,’’ Ingleton said.

“We are here to showcase the best aspects of our sport, our Victorian clubs and our competitions to people young and old.

“As finals are upon us, we ask that players, coaches and officials continue to respect each other, the decisions that are made and the safe environment we provide for all.’’