suspended Willow Cuts allrounder Richard Basden had played in a Premier Division game on Sunday against St. George's at Wellington Oval.

Last night Bermuda Cricket Board of Control's first vice president Gladstone (Sad) Brown, who is also chairman of the Board's disciplinary committee, admitted he was investigating the circumstances surrounding the player's case before determining whether or not there had been a blatant disregard of the rules.

The top west end cricketer was banned for five matches after being found guilty of bringing the game into disrepute following an alleged dispute with umpire Jeff Pitcher last month.

But the matter has since reached the BCBC appeals committee under the chairmanship of Clevelyn Crichlow and the question that remains unanswered is whether or not the talented player had the right to take part in a match before his appeal was heard.

Brown was apparently as surprised by Sunday's development as other Board officials when reached yesterday. He said that Crichlow's committee had required further information from the Board before being able to continue the hearing which got underway on August 4.

Regarding Basden's eligibility to play under current circumstances, Brown said: "We have just taken a further look at the constitution and it's a grey area. There is no stipulation one way or the other that says whether a player can play during an appeal. It's possible that we may have to make an amendment to the rules in order to clear up any uncertainty.'' Basden back in action From Page 17 However, Willow Cuts captain Dexter Basden said he had no doubt that his younger brother Richard was eligible to play and he dismissed accusations that his club had deliberately challenged the Board.

"The appeals committee told us that he was eligible to play, they told us that while they were planning to hold a further meeting he would be able to represent our club,'' said Dexter.

"In fact, the previous committee chaired by Mr. Brown told us that once he got the appeal in and paid the $100 he was eligible to play. Looking at what the BCBC said, he could have played in Cup Match.

"I don't know what's really going on, things are being said and then they are being contradicted. They apparently are not sure about what is going on.'' However, Board officials are privately concerned that Crichlow's committee were unable to deal with the matter in one sitting. One member said: "This matter is just going on much too long.''