A Lancashire Knockout Cup game was abandoned at the weekend after a batsman allegedly reacted to his dismissal by head-butting the bowler.
The game between Rainhill and home side Eccleston ended without a result following the incident, which has already led to the visiting batsman’s suspension.
A tweet from Eccleston claimed the Rainhill player in question reacted after he was caught behind.
Shocking scenes at ECC today in our Lancashire cup game – Rainhill batsman headbutts our bowler after being given out caught behind.
Umpires have abanadoned the game due to the assault on our bowler @lancscricket @pscricket @lpoolcomp— Eccleston CC (@ecclestoncc) May 19, 2019
And a spokesman for the Merseyside club, quoted in the Lancashire Post, said: “This has really shaken us. Rainhill CC does not tolerate violent behaviour and our club’s code of conduct expressly states that such behaviour is unacceptable.
“Rainhill CC promotes sportsmanship and respect, and yesterday’s incident falls short of the standards we not only champion, but expect from our players.”
The player is also now the subject of a Liverpool and District Cricket Competition disciplinary process.
Today the first team travels to face @ecclestoncc in the #LancashireCup #WeAreRainhill pic.twitter.com/vWcWTSDBDD
— Rainhill CC (@RainhillCric) May 19, 2019
The organisation’s chairman John Williams told the Liverpool Echo: “We have been made aware of an incident in the Lancashire knockout fixture between Eccleston and Rainhill on Sunday which resulted in the game being abandoned and a disciplinary report being made on a Rainhill player.
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“The matter will now be dealt with in accordance with our disciplinary procedures and we await all the details in a report from the umpires.
“Meanwhile, we can confirm that Rainhill CC has immediately suspended the player indefinitely until the disciplinary hearing.”
Ray Taylor, an official at the Lancashire Cricket Foundation which runs the cup competition, said no decision had yet been made on the outcome of the game.
Last year, a club cricketer hit the headlines when he head-butted an umpire after disagreeing with his decision not to give the batsman out on appeal. He was subsequently handed a one-year ban.
