Saddleworth League to clamp down on bad behaviour

Cricket:

“CLEAN up your act” is the message from Saddleworth and District Cricket League officials to teams.

From spitting to a match abandonment due to a disturbance in the crowd, the league has recently been seen in a bad light.

The first incident took place in a second XI game and led to Micklehurst suspending their captain for six games. League officials are due to decide whether to increase the ban.

The league also made the news pages on Monday after the Stayley v Hollinwood second-teams fixture was stopped part way through the second innings. Umpire Mike Dunkerley halted the match after an off-field confrontation involving a player and spectator.

The league has received reports and officials are considering their next move.

Secretary Trevor Harrison is sickened by recent events and says the league will get tough on players or clubs found to have overstepped the mark.

He said: “We, as a league, are determined to do whatever it takes to stamp out bad behaviour.

“Standards have fallen. The league wants umpires to report incidents of bad behaviour, so we can take the appropriate action in the hope players learn their lesson.

“As for spitting, it is absolutely disgusting and there is no place for it in any sport.

“The captain is responsible for the behaviour of his players and he must see they conduct themselves in a fair and respectful manner.”