Johnson loses appeal

PRAISE: Andy Walker

BEN Johnson has lost his appeal against a two-game ban imposed by the Saddleworth and District Cricket League.

The Greenfield all-rounder was found guilty of showing dissent towards an umpire in a match against Saddleworth.

The appeal was heard in front of three independent officials from clubs in the league.

Johnson will miss Saturday’s match against Friarmere and the second-round Tanner Cup tie at Saddleworth 24 hours later.




UMPIRE Peter Lilley has defended the decision to stay on the field despite rain and poor light during the match between Friarmere and Bamford Fieldhouse at West View.



Andy Walker, the Friarmere captain, thought the game should have been stopped when conditions deteriorated in the second half of their innings.

The skipper said it was unfair on the home side because the umpires halted play for rain when Bamford were batting.

Walker was so incensed, he brought his two batsmen back to the pavilion with one over of the 23 to go.

But Lilley has stood by the decision to carry on.

He explained: “The rain started to come down in the last few overs and in my opinion it was not dangerous, so we played on.

“There is nothing in the MCC laws to say you have to come off for rain. It was safe enough to play.

“Yes, it did rain in the Bamford innings, but it was a lot heavier.”

Bamford won the game by 86 runs.