UMP BAILED UP IN STUMP RAGE

Cricketer banned for waving stump at umpire

A STUMP- WIELDING Guild-Saints cricketer who charged at an umpire has been banned for six matches.

The Geelong Cricket Association has condemned the actions of Sam Patal, who threatened to attack the umpire in the wake of a conten- tious run-out decision in the GCA3 seconds clash against Thomson.

The Geelong Advertiser understands that Patal, fielding on the opposite side of the pitch at point, uprooted a stump and ran aggressively towards Thomson player Shivsagar Vankudre, who was umpiring at square-leg.

It caused panic and shock among the Tigers players, who attempted to shield Vankudre from Patal.

Guild moved immediately to suspend Patal for his behaviour in the December 16 match before the GCA forced the player to face a disciplinary hearing last week.

The player, who according to MyCricket has played eight seasons of senior cricket and is believed to be aged in his late 20s, is said to be regretful.

Patal copped six matches at tribunal — found guilty of bringing the game into disrepute — and he will serve a further four weeks this season having already sat out two matches.

GCA president Barry McFarlane was “disappointed” by Patal’s actions.

“Under the player code of conduct, you can’t dispute the decision, regardless of whether it’s a club umpire or not,” McFarlane said.

“While they are out there, they are an official. It’s the same as an appointed umpire.

“Unfortunately we just don’t have the numbers, but while the player is acting as an official, he should be treated with the same respect as a regular umpire is treated with.

“And disputing a decision and taking the stump out of the ground is not on.

“I was a bit shocked when I first got the email (from Thomson). Guild were very disappointed with the player’s actions because they don’t want to be seen in that light.”

Guild vice-president Greg Gray, who was bowling at the time of the incident, admitted Patal deserved to cop his right whack.

“We went to the hearing, he pleaded guilty and we didn’t tolerate it. It was pretty much a case of ‘you get what you get’,” Gray said.

“It’s not something that we condone and we don’t have any issues with the penalty as such.

“We’re not going to appeal it, there’s no need. He shouldn’t have put himself in that predicament.”

The only point of contention stemming from the incident was how close Patal came Vankudre with stump in hand.

Vankudre believes Patal was only “two or three paces away”, while other witnesses suggested he was standing somewhere between the broken stumps and the umpire, who was at traditional square-leg position. The batsman was given not out.

“Even the batsman said it was out, but anyway, that’s neither here not there,” Gray said. “People need to remember that whether they are an umpire or a member of your team, the same respect needs to be shown.”

Patal is understood to be remorseful for his actions.

“He shook everyone’s hands straight after the game and he even went to find Shiv to apologise,” Gray said.

“It wasn’t settled on the day because Thomson left the ground. Sam went and had a quick shower and when he came out, Shiv had already left but the apology has been made. He’s remorseful and fully accepts the decision that was handed down.”

The Tigers have also accepted the penalty.

“Considering he is a younger player, I didn’t think the penalty was too bad,” Thomson president Stephen Crane said.

“We were happy with the result because it’s not something that happens very often and the league had to protect the players that are officiating, otherwise it would all fall over.”