VTCA hands down penalties over ball tampering, appeal to be launched

Reigning VTCA Senior Division premier Haig Fawkner will appeal after four of its players were handed heavy sanctions for alleged ball tampering.

The Victorian Turf Cricket Association has handed down heavy penalties over allegations of ball tampering.

Four Haig Fawkner players have been given lengthy bans while the club itself was levied with a $5000 fine for the charges stemming from the Round 11 match against Sunshine United.

However, the club will appeal the sanctions in a bid to clear its players’ names.

The VTCA confirmed three players who handled the ball during the period in question were banned for the rest of the 2022-23 season and the entire 2023-24 season.

Captain Vaib Deshpande was suspended until mid-season 2023-24.

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

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.

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 Deshpande and Sunshine United batters Daniel Raniolo and Hamza Ali before making the change and continuing play.

According to the VTCA’s rules, appeals can be lodged within 24 hours of the tribunal hearing.

A fee of $500 for players and $750 for clubs must be paid to lodge an appeal, which the appeals board can “in its discretion” refund in whole or part.

The VTCA appeals board will consist of three members, independent of the board of management and tribunal – but appointed by the board of management – and has no obligation to reveal reasons for its decision.

According to the VTCA website, league vice president Neil Howard serves as the investigations and tribunal chairman, while Tamara Balmaceda is the tribunal co-ordinator.

Under VTCA rules the decision by the appeals board is also able to be appealed.

Players and/or club appealing against the decision of the tribunal can send the matter to the Victorian Metropolitan Cricket Union.

The four players were stood down from the weekend’s matches after the tribunal hearing was postponed due to illness.

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Facing Westmeadows at Charles Mutton Reserve, Haig was dismissed for 202 and the Warriors reached stumps on Day 1 at 1-10.

Play will resume on Saturday.

There is just one game remaining in the regular season, with Haig scheduled to face Yarraville Club, before finals commence.

The reigning premier would host a home semi-final based on current ladder position.

Haig Fawkner declined to comment except to say it would appeal the decision.