Protests and Disputes

01-02-2023

TRIBUNAL

Tribunal date:

01-02-2023

Tribunal personnel:

David King (Chair) , Steve Kemp, Jacob Landsmeer

Tribunal convenor:

Ian Del Rosso (Acting Convenor)

Umpire:

Nil

PLAYER

Name:

Sujit Pankajakshan, Cannington Tigers CC and Vinod Suneeth (team captain)

Club:

Cannington Tigers

Advocate's name:

Shamez Salim President Cannington Tigers

PENALTY

Report:

Threatening or intimidating behaviour toward and umpire, official or player, including verbal abuse

Tribunal notes:

David King (Chair) explained the reason behind hearing the matter under Section 63 A (v) , and as such the matter was heard. Phoenix had not met the deadlines for proper reporting of a player, but has raised the matter via email, resulting in an overall review of the issues raised by both sides. Phoenix 1DC Captain Sukhreet Singh was interviewed and advised that one particular player (Mr Pankajakshan CTCC) was seen to be aggressive and made in appropriate comments throughout the match, and was aggressive towards himself when umpiring and batting and to Mr Kamaljeet Singh who also umpired. It was also noted that some comments were interpreted as being personal in nature and this inflamed the situation. Mr Paul Speering (PCC Advocate) advised the gist of the situation reported was abuse of the umpires controlling the game by CTCC players. Mr Sukhreet Singh, has stated he had asked the CTCC Captain Mr Suneeth, to control his player but it was alleged he did nothing about it. When umpiring he was accused of cheating, being a poor umpire over some non-decisions, after 10 overs Mr Sukhreet changed over with Mr Kamaljeet, and the situation continued. It was noted that the sledging of the batters continued all game, whilst benign at times it was constant. When supporting the issues of intimidation of umpires a video was produced as evidence, this was viewed by the panel, it corroborated verbal evidence which showed unnecessary surrounding of an umpire when a decision was given not out. Mr Suneeth (CTCC) was asked to give evidence, his view was opposite to what was received from Mr Sukreet (PCC) and that nothing untoward had happened, some alleged bad calls seemed to be the catalyst for the degeneration in the game and both Captains and umpire had engaged in heated arguments, in the opinion of the panel as not within the spirit of the game. Mr Suneeth said Mr Sujit was chirpy but had not crossed any line, that being said as Captain he was situated at fine leg for parts of the game and could not hear all the goings on. David King (Chair) questioned whether the umpire had been surrounded as group by the fielding team, it was confirmed this had occurred to a degree but was not seen by Mr Suneeth as an issue, and cited the team gathered when assuming there was a wicket only for the out , not to be given. Mr Suneeth, denied anything being said of a derogatory nature to the umpires, and tried to calm the situation. Mr Sujith was called in and he confirmed he was chirpy but denied crossing the line or any form of abuse toward the umpires, or making any inappropriate comments, he advised that the situation flared up with a Knick to the keeper not given in the 6th over (approx.) and that heated arguments followed with the then umpire Mr Sukhreet. The umpires changed out and Mr Kamaljeet took over, the issues continued but blew up again when Mr Sujit with 3 overs to go, asked Mr Kamaljeet how many overs to go and there was no response and was ignored, Mr Sukhreet was batting at the time and allegedly made a comment toward MR Sujit which provoked a similar response back to the batter. Mr Kamaljeet Singh, advised that whilst umpiring he had been abused by Mr Sujit and called a cheat questioned his ability as an umpire and some other unsavoury names. He advised he had asked the CTCC Captain Mr Suneeth, to calm his player down and nothing had been done to do so, he confirmed Mr Sujit was chirping at the batters all the time and when told to refrain did not. There was a heated moment when Mr Sujit confronted Mr Kamaljeet whilst umpiring, asking why he did not signal out, when the batter had been bowled and was already walking off the ground, this seemed unnecessary and only inflamed the situation. Mr Sujit was alleged to have been always coming up to the umpires and making comments, no one wanted to go out to umpire and Mr Kamaljeet had to umpire 25 overs. RESULT: Mr King (Chair) advised after deliberation of the PnD panel the following: The evidence showed the game was not played in the Spirit of the Game and that the arguments and behaviours demonstrated were not a good look for the game and the association as whole: Both Captains could have done more to stop players getting involved in heated arguments, stopping the sledging and stopping players approaching umpires, against the rules and this needs to be stopped.

Penalty:

Cannington Tigers CC: fined $200 – team behaviour/contrary to the spirit of the game. Mr Vinod Suneeth: 2 playing days (SUSPENDED till end 23-24 season) failure to control player/s and the tone of the game. Mr Sujit Pankajakshan: 6 playing days (2 SUSPENDED till end 23-24 Season) for Umpire abuse.

UMPIRE

Signee's name:

Ian Del Rosso, Convenor

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