Stripe team, top batsman Clay Smith has slammed Bermuda Cricket Board of Control over what he claims are double standards.

The St. George's Cup Match captain had his hopes of representing the country in Guyana dashed by a five-match ban for alleged misconduct in a match against Willow Cuts.

And while he lodged an appeal and Willow Cuts player Charles Symonds even publicly stated that Smith made comments to him and not umpire Ronald O'Hara as contained in the report, the appeal has still not been heard.

That effectively ruled Smith out of contention for a place in the team.

This week, in a Letter to the Editor (see Page 16), he took issue with the Board's handling of the appeal and questioned whether double standards existed as another player has still not been disciplined for an incident four weeks ago.

"It is too bad that the Bermuda Cricket Board of Control didn't rush to have my appeal heard the way they rushed to have me suspended,'' Smith wrote.

"Who knows, maybe the truth would have come to light and I could have been cleared to go to Guyana.'' Smith also wondered why a current member of the national team had not been disciplined for an incident a few weeks ago.

"The BCBC president, Mr El James, has been quoted on several occasions that he is determined to stamp out bad behaviour,'' added Smith.

"However, it is a known fact that a current player in the national squad has had a disciplinary report handed in on him for over four weeks. Mr James, where is the consistency, or do we have double standards creeping in already?'' When contacted about the criticism yesterday, James backed his disciplinary committee's decision.

"It's unfortunate that he takes this view. We are definitely not out to get anyone, that's for sure. We are a responsible body and we deal with each case on its merit,'' said James.

"As far as we are concerned Mr. Smith's case was dealt with fairly, we are not in the business of handing out suspensions for the sake of it. His case was heard, dealt with and there is nothing more to it.'' James agreed that a national team player had been reported for similar bad behaviour during the Western Counties final, but noted that it had not been overlooked by the Board.

He explained that the umpire reported it directly to the Counties while merely informing the Board of the case, and the Counties were now dealing with the matter.

"Mr. Smith had one of his own players facing disciplinary action this summer, but when his club assured us that they would deal with it we left it to them and they certainly did take action against the player. The Board is not there to punish players, we want to discourage bad behaviour but we also want to give players the opportunity to play the game of cricket,'' said James.

The president reminded local players and clubs of the recent ICC circular entitled "The Spirit of Cricket'' which specifically deals with disciplinary cases.

"In part, it said that in the event of any player failing to comply with the instructions of an umpire, criticising his decisions by word or action or showing dissent or generally behaving in a manner which might bring the game into disrepute, the umpire should report the matter,'' said James.

"The previous Board administration were criticised for not taking disciplinary action and now we are criticised for looking into these matters, it's frustrating. We are only doing what's necessary, we have had a good year, cricket has had a good year and we all would like to put this issue to rest.'' Despite his disappointment, Smith, who scored two centuries last year in Jamaica which earned him the Athlete of the Year award earlier this year, wished the national squad success on their trip to Guyana.

Now back in school in South Carolina, he earned the respect of opposing bowlers for his centuries against the Windward Islands and Jamaica. And he is urging the Bermuda players to take a similar, confident approach and not be overawed by the opposition.

While maintaining his innocence, Smith apologised to those who have supported him. He admitted his desire this year was to put himself in contention for a place on the West Indies A team.

CLAY SMITH -- upset over the Bermuda Cricket Board's failure to hear his appeal.