Players stood down pending ball tampering charges in local cricket competition

Several local cricketers have been stood down from this weekend’s games after a tribunal hearing into ball tampering charges was postponed.

Four local cricketers have been stood down pending ball tampering charges.

The players from Haig Fawkner were due to face the Victorian Turf Cricket Association tribunal on Thursday night but the hearing was postponed.

It will mean the players are forced to miss the Senior Division Round 12 match against last-placed Westmeadows at Mutton Reserve over the next fortnight as well as a T20 quarter-final against Yarraville Club.

Three players were charged following Haig’s draw against Sunshine United, which according to MyCricket is currently being disputed.

It is understood, three more players were then added to the proceedings this week but two of the six have been allowed to play.

Haig Fawkner is the reigning Senior Division premier and currently sits on top of the ladder, 12 points clear of second.

Umpires check with the Sunshine United batsmen.

It is believed the charges stem from play at Selwyn Park on Saturday, January 28.

During the afternoon’s play the umpires can be seen asking for the ball to be changed on the FrogBox live stream.

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The umpires inspect the ball following the dismissal of United century-maker Neetan Chouhan on the fifth ball of the 59th over.

Umpires Grant Sandars and Ray Butterfield held discussions with Haig captain Vaib Deshpande and Sunshine United batters Daniel Raniolo and Hamza Ali before making the change and continuing play.

The VTCA confirmed to Leader the tribunal had been postponed due to one of the sitting members falling ill and has been rescheduled for next Thursday.

Haig Fawkner declined to comment.