A three-match suspension slapped on Somerset Cricket Club captain Wendell White has prompted criticism from some of the Island's former top players.

White, a hard-hitting all-rounder, was punished by local cricket's governing body, Bermuda Cricket Board of Control, for talking to The Royal Gazette following his return from Argentina where the senior national squad took part in the Americas Cup tournament.

He was notified of the three-match ban by letter last week.

Just last month senior players Janeiro Tucker and Clay Smith were reprimanded by the Board for conducting interviews with this newspaper prior to the squad's departure for South America, despite the fact that neither took part in the tour.

White, who during his interview spoke about the wickets in Argentina and of the encouraging performances by some of the Island's youngsters, will get chance to appeal his case this evening in front of a BCBC special disciplinary committee headed by second vice-president Gary Fray.

And there are many observers who feel the ban should be lifted.

Former Western Stars' prolific run-getter Jeff Richardson described the Board's action as “ludicrous”.

“I'm somewhat concerned because I was really pleased with the interview that was in The Royal Gazette,” he said.

“Wendell had nothing but positive things to say during a time when Bermuda's cricket is in a transitional period. We had a lot of youngsters go overseas with these guys and he had nothing but positive things to say about them.

“They have to take into consideration what sort of effect this reprimand will have on some of the younger players who he was praising. He's getting into trouble for saying positive things about what occurred in Argentina.”

Although Richardson said players had to be careful when talking to the media as representatives of the governing body, he still felt White had been treated harshly.

“What they need is guidelines,” he added. “As long as they (players) are not saying anything negative or making personal attacks then there is no reason why these guys shouldn't be given the right to talk to the media because all over the world athletes have a responsibility to the media.

“They have to meet with the media at some stage. So this thing about shutting guys down is ludicrous and quite frankly I totally disagree with it.”

Likewise, former top all-rounder John Tucker also felt that players should have freedom of expression as long as they were not interfering with the BCBC's business or bringing the game into disrepute. Positive comments, he said, should “be appreciated, not condemned.”

“Good comments should be acceptable,” said Tucker. “I know for a fact that the International Cricket Council (ICC) have a code of conduct and from what I gather players and team officials should not make any comments to the media when they are involved in a match or on a tour. I could have understood if he (White) had made a negative comment, but if you make good comments then I don't see anything wrong with that.

“That's the way I feel about things because players have to sacrifice a lot and they also spend a lot of time away from their families and jobs.

“If a reporter ever approached me and asked me, ‘Mr. Tucker, how do you feel about participating in the ICC or whatever', I would reply, ‘I feel great! Its an honour and an experience of a lifetime'.

“So I really feel to myself that a player should not be charged for those types of comments.”

PHC skipper Cal Waldron said he was puzzled by the Board's action.

“What was the difference between what he (White) said and what Janeiro (Tucker) and Clay (Smith) said?” asked Waldron.

“The only thing that I could say is that if he knew beforehand and still talked, then so be it - the punishment fits the crime. But if he didn't, then I feel sorry for him.”

Meanwhile, a source close to the Board, who wished to remain anonymous, said all national team players had to sign a document in which they agreed not to communicate with the press without the Board's consent.

“You can't have everyone running off to the press,” he said. “The Board have an image to uphold. Some of these guys just want to go off and run to the press whenever they feel that they have been a little bit hard done by. It's not their place.

“That's why teams have managers and that's also why the Board has a spokesman.

“Somewhere along the way you have to establish a line of authority and responsibility. If every player goes off and shoots his mouth can you imagine the difficulties we would have, because there are a few players around who have some very ridiculous ideas in their heads.”