One cricketer has concussion-induced memory loss, one has been banned for life and another handed a long-term suspension after a fiery Champion of Champions final in Bermuda.
In the first time in 10 years that the top-flight grade cricket competition has been run, the final between Cleveland County Cricket Club and Willow Cuts was completely overshadowed by an incredible mid-pitch fight between a batsman and a rival wicket keeper.
Gloveman Jason Anderson has been banned for life by his club Cleveland after an investigation by the Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB) found he was responsible for instigating the fight with Willow Cuts bowler George O’Brien.
A Bermuda Cricket Board disciplinary hearing on Friday found Anderson, 36, guilty of a level four offence.
A BCB statement said Anderson would never play cricket within the association again.
“Jason Anderson formally of Cleveland County Cricket Club has been found guilty of a Level 4 2.4.2 of the Code of Conduct: Physical assault of another Player and has been given a life ban from all cricket and any involvement in the game of cricket in Bermuda in any capacity,” the BCB said in a statement.
The governing body was more lenient on O’Brien.
“George O’Brien of St. David’s County Cricket Club has been found guilty of a Level 3 2.3.2 of the Code of Conduct: Threat of assault on another player and has been banned from all cricket for a period sufficient to include 6 Logic 50 over matches. Date to be confirmed at the start of the 2016 season,” the statement said.
Cleveland club said it had issued a life ban for Anderson a day before the BCB hearing, saying it had also urged its former player to seek anger management counselling.
Cleveland also issued an apology to the general public.
The video shows Anderson walking up to O’Brien in a confrontational manner before he punches the opposition batsman in the face.
O’Brien is seen reacting by swinging his bat at the Anderson before the pair scuffle from one side of the pitch to the other.
The Cleveland club president Carlton Smith reportedly ran onto the field and told Anderson to immediately walk off the ground.
Anderson then stormed off after throwing his gloves and pads away in a heated manner.
The incident has caused a storm in the West Indies.
“I think a little bit of frustration built up by Jason, dropping a catch and missing a stumping, but I don’t know what was said between George and Jason because I was at the other end of the wicket (bowling),” Cleveland captain Allan Douglas told The Royal Gazette.
“Once I saw those two going at it, that’s when I decided to jump into the middle and try to break it up; me and Aaron Adams.”
Trying to break the fight up, Adams reportedly suffered a blow to the head.
“He can’t seem to remember most of the match,” Douglas said.
Bermuda’s shadow sports minister Michael Weeks said he condemns the entire incident.
“What was to be a family and community event, has instead been marred by a repugnant incident of violence, lawlessness and unsportsmanlike conduct,” he said.
“Our community has an obligation to not only demand better from our youth and our athletes, but we must also do all we can to set the right example, mentor and guide all those whom we have under our influence.”
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