Herbie Bascome was fired as the national Under-19 coach yesterday as Bermuda Cricket Board finally took disciplinary action over the disgraceful scenes witnessed at this year?s Cup Match.

In drawing a line under the disciplinary process at last night?s Board meeting, George O? Brien jr and Stephen Outerbridge were also put on probation for two years while match fines imposed by their respective clubs were ratified by cricket?s governing body.

St. George?s captain Bascome, who was also put on probation for two years and told he couldn?t coach a national side until January 2007, was at the centre of a row over xenophobic sledging after one of the ugliest Cup Match classics in years.

South Africa-born national team player Saleem Mukuddem was the main accuser of Bascome, although team-mate Wendell White also expressed his concerns over comments made while batsmen were at the crease.

The row over how the two youngsters O?Brien and Outerbridge would be dealt with for their on-field spat at the annual classic has been rumbling on since their fracas in full view of of 7,000 fans at St. George?s Cricket Club in July with all parties involved becoming tarnished as the disciplinary procedure dragged on.

Both youngsters have already gone on national television to apologise for their fight in which Outerbridge was punched by the St. George?s fast bowler O?Brien after spitting on him.

But last night the Board put an end to that row by backing, and then adding to, the official punishments meted out by the clubs.

The events surrounding the cricketing showpiece have since overshadowed St. George?s? thrilling victory and cast a cloud over the domestic summer after a season of unprecedented glory for the national team.

The two players, both who are under consideration for the World Cup training squad, were fined their match fees and given one year probation by their clubs although the Board ratcheted that punishment up to two years probation for both.

But Bascome?s punishment came as a surprise to many, particularly as the enigmatic coach and player had denied the accusations of sledging which surfaced from Mukuddem.

?With regards to Stephen Outerbridge and George O?Brien, both players have been subject to club and Board sanctions,? said BCB president Reggie Pearman in a statement.

?Firstly, each player has been fined his match fee by the club and handed a reprimand with a one year probationary period relating to Cup Match. The Board recognised this in its deliberations and imposed a two year probationary period on each player which will apply to all domestic and international cricket.

?One of the Board?s concerns is that neither player actually represents their respective clubs in domestic cricket and therefore the Cup Match clubs were restricted in what remedies were at their disposal. This issue will be one addressed with the Cup Match clubs at the joint committee meeting in advance of next year?s game.

?The BCB Executive also met with Under-19 national coach Herbie Bascome, regarding a number of allegations and his responsibility as captain of the St. George?s Cup Match team.

?As a result of the meeting, and after lengthy discussions with Mr. Bascome, who expressed extreme regret for the manner in which the game was played, the Board decided that Mr. Bascome would be subjected to a two-year probationary period and be precluded from holding a national head coach position until January, 2007.?

Although some might argue the discipline meted out has come too late, last night the Board also agreed to create a new committee comprising the two Cup Match clubs and the BCB to oversee the match.

The new committee will have powers to deal with discipline and umpire selection.

?It has been a long, frustrating process that has taken much longer than we would have wanted,? said Pearman.

?A number of valuable lessons have been highlighted from this process and we can expect improvements in the future as a direct result of the incidents that took place.

?We have spoken directly with Somerset CC and St. George?s CC and I am pleased to say that both clubs have welcomed the introduction of a new joint committee comprising St. George?s, Somerset and the BCB that will oversee the governance of the game in the future to ensure it fully reflects the spirit of the great game of cricket.

?This committee will deal with the Code of Conduct, selection and ratification of umpires and match officials, and its mandate will be to ensure that the largest domestic game on the cricket calendar will be one that both the country of Bermuda, and the global village of cricket will heartily support as a premier event.?

Also up for discussion at last night?s Board meeting were the reports submitted by coach Gus Logie and tour manager El James following the ill-fated trip to Namibia last month as well as a number of other procedural matters related to umpires? courses and youth cricket.

Another key item on the agenda was the plan to overhaul the Board?s operation, with the BCB putting out tenders to business consultants to look at ways of giving the Board a full operational makeover.

And BCB affiliates will get their chance to hear the latest developments in cricket this Saturday at a specially arranged meeting.

The Board will give their affiliates a presentation which will include details of how the $11 million Government handout will be spent and general objectives for Bermuda cricket ? both domestically and internationally ? over the coming years.