T20 contest abandoned after physical altercation between players
The Bermuda Cricket Board is awaiting the match report after a physical altercation led to the abandonment of a First Division T20 match between Willow Cuts and Warwick Workmen’s Club on Saturday.
It is understood the incident at Somerset Cricket Club took place between Cuts’ Sergio Raynor and Warwick’s Malachi Jones as Warwick chased 171 for victory, with umpires Sean “Bobby” Smith and Alex Knight abandoning the match to prevent the situation from escalating.
A physical confrontation is deemed a level-four offence by the BCB and can lead to bans of multiple games, with a disciplinary hearing expected to be held by the governing body upon review of the official umpires’ report of the incident.
“The Bermuda Cricket Board will be receiving an official report from the Bermuda Cricket Umpires Association once their weekly post-weekend match-fixtures reviews have been held,” Cal Blankendal, the BCB executive director, told The Royal Gazette.
“This is the official procedure and we must follow our regulations prior to discussing the matter for any possible disciplinary action.”
Officials at Cuts and Warwick were remaining low-key as they wait on the BCB to inform them of any potential action.
“The incident that led to the abandonment of the match between Willow Cuts and Warwick will be reviewed after the umpires’ reports are in and a decision rendered by the BCB,” said Lorenzo Tucker, the Warwick head coach.
Cuts coach Dexter Basden is also being patient before assessing any implications of the incident for his club.
“I am actually waiting on my captain’s report, so once he gives me that we’ll take it from there,” Basden said.
Elsewhere on Saturday, Somerset Bridge squeaked past Flatts by three runs in a nail-biter at Wellington Oval.
Lower-order pair Jason Smith (17) and Cadence Douglas (20) produced a vital, unbroken 27-run eighth-wicket stand as Bridge scored 103 for seven after being sent in to bat.
Noel Woods and Swayne Raynor then picked up two wickets each as Flatts were restricted to 100 for seven in reply.
Southampton Rangers came away with a more comfortable 70-run win over PHC at Lord’s in St David’s.
Rangers scored 159 for eight after electing to bat with Dion Stovell (51), captain Dalin Richardson (34) and Jordan DeSilva (30) providing the bulk of their runs.
Fourth-change bowler Makai Jacobs then claimed five for 14 as PHC could muster only 89 for nine in reply.
Rangers then extended their flawless start to the season under new coach Herbie Bascome with a convincing 99-run win over previously unbeaten Western Stars at Sea Breeze Oval on Sunday.
Stovell (62) and DeSilva (56) cracked half-centuries and featured in an unbroken 99-run third-wicket partnership as Rangers posted 162 for two after opting to take first strike.
Stovell then capped a fine all-round display by claiming three wickets and Donté Brangman and Swayne Campbell two each as Stars were dismissed for 63 in 16.2 overs.
Hosts PHC got back to winning ways with a 61-run triumph over Somerset Bridge at PHC Field.
Chris Douglas blasted 64 before retiring hurt while Charles Trott scored the same amount as PHC posted 182 for one after being sent in to bat by Bridge, who leaked 27 extras, including 17 wides.
Trott then picked up three wickets to cap a fine all-round display, while Dionte Dowling and Taurean Manders picked up two apiece as Bridge were dismissed for 121 in 16.1 overs.
The remaining First Division T20 contest between Warwick and Flatts at Lord’s was not played because of a wet pitch.