Putting the record straight — letter

Having read the comments posted on the Chronicle website in response to the two-game ban imposed on the Glodwick professional Imran Aslam, I would like the opportunity to correct some of the misinformed remarks appearing there.

First and foremost , there are not as someone claims three Saddleworth members on the committee, and it makes no difference who Glodwick play during his suspension.

The correct procedure was followed by the umpire who submitted his report within seven days of the match being played which was on Saturday, July 4.

Glodwick were informed of the suspension before the weekend of July 11. Since there was no appeal forthcoming the suspension then commenced as per league rules on the second Saturday after the umpires report was received and takes in Saturdays, July 18 and 25.

It is just a pity that there are those who seek to try to undermine any authority on poor behaviour that the league attempt to impose when it affects their own clubs.

Perhaps they should look at the example of Glodwick, whose acceptance of Imran’s suspension without complaint has done them great credit.

I would further wish to put the record straight with regard to the two-match suspension recently imposed on Gary Pemberton of Saddleworth, since he has posted his own comments on the website, and I was the umpire who made the report.

He states that he has been suspended for, and I quote “simply throwing my bat off the pitch”.

Allow me to correct this. While batting Mr Pemberton, part way through an over signalled to his colleagues sitting outside the pavilion that he wished to change his bat.

Receiving no response he carried on batting, until the last ball of the over at which he played forward.

Immediately he had finished the stroke, he turned towards his own wickets and swung the bat in an underarm arc, in doing so he knocked one of the wickets backwards (not just removing a bail as he claims). The bat flew back over his shoulder, some 12 to 15 feet in the air and approximately 15 yards across the square in the direction of where cover had been fielding.

Fortunately as it was the end of the over he had started walking to another position. When told he was being reported, the response was “Why it didn’t hit anybody”, accompanied by a verbal volley with suitable expletives.

He also seeks to excuse himself on the grounds that someone was bringing out a new bat.

Was this person then going to throw the bat out to him rather than making the customary exchange? I do not think so.

That is unacceptable behaviour on the cricket field, notwithstanding the fact that there is the possibility of someone getting seriously injured because of a petulant act.

If he feels so aggrieved, and his actions were so innocent, he should have appealed. It should also be stated that, like Glodwick, Saddleworth accepted the league’s decision without question.


Trevor Harrison, general secretary, Saddleworth and District Cricket League.