The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Coleman’s tampering costs Warwicks mint
Charge: Scot escapes instant ban but county club is fined £5,000
Scotland cricketer Freddie Coleman has sidestepped an instant ban after pleading guilty to ball-tampering – with a mint sweet.
The batsman, pictured, admitted interfering with the ball while playing for Warwickshire in the second XI championship match against Glamorgan at Cardiff earlier this month.
The ECB disciplinary body said they had taken a lenient stance because Coleman had committed the offence with the full knowledge of team captain Paul Best.
Former Grange player Coleman, 21, received a fortnight’s ban, suspended for t wo years.
Play was halted when senior umpire Martin Saggers spotted Coleman sucking a Murray Mint before using his saliva to put a shine on the ball.
Saggers quizzed captain Best – then summoned squad coach Tony Frost.
In spite of handing out only an admonishment, an ECB spokesman said: “We wish to make clear any attempt to alter the natural condition of the ball using an artificial substance will be taken very seriously.
“The panel took into account that Mr Co leman pleaded guilty, t hat he is a young player and he was all owed to act in this
way with the knowledge of his captain.
“Should he commit any further breach of any ECB rules, regulations or directives during the two year period, then at the discretion of the Cricket Discipline Commission this penalty will take effect.”
Warwickshire were fined £5,000 and were stripped of all their points earned in the defeat, while Coleman also received three penalty points under the disci- Only one game was played on Saturday in the MacallanNorthofScotland League.
There was a real surprise result at Keith where titlechasers and holders Forres St Lawrence lost by seven wickets.
Pal Dhami scored 53 as plinary totting up system. This sanction will also remain on his record for two years.
Edinburgh-born Coleman pleaded guilty to knowingly and deliberately changing the condition of the ball in contravention of Law 42.3 (b).
The spokesman added: “In the panel’s view, the club did not provide sufficient discouragement regarding ball-tampering, all types of which are clearly Forres slumped to 98 all out. Australian bowler Colin Hackett took three for 11 and Keith stalwart Kenny McWilliam scored 54 not out to secure a third successive win.
Northern Counties, Nairn County and Elgin conceded to Buckie, RAF Lossiemouth and Ross County respectively and the Fort William versus inappropriate and in contravention of the lawsof the game.”
A Warwickshire insider said they will decide today whether or not to lodge an appeal on behalf of Coleman.
The source added: “Sucking this type of sweet is commonplace among fielders, so there is some concern in the club.
“They are certainly puzzled why it was Freddie who was picked on.” Highland match was cancelled due to rain.
Yesterday RAF Lossiemouth and Ross County played a rearranged fixture with the airmen winning by eight wickets. County were dismissed for 78 with Chris Woodward taking five for six. Dave Wolton was 40 not out as RAF ran out comfortable winners. Lunchtime showers put a premature end to four of the five games in Aberdeenshire Grade 1.
With the reverse fixtures already having been washed out in May, these games will now have to be rescheduled for the earliest possible date at the venue of the May fixture if the originally-scheduled one for the August game is unavailable.
However, the games involving Cults and Mannofield cannot now take place until August 31 as the two sides are scheduled to meet in the Aberdeenshire Cup on Sunday.
This means the Turriff Cup finals day may also have to be put back a day to September 1.
In the one game to be completed, home side Inverurie lost to Ellon by eight wickets – despite a knock of 84 from George Hadden.
Ellon’s Brain Veldsman hit an undefeated 76 as the visitors' bowling again lacked the penetration to force the victory.
In Grade 2 prospective champions Knightriders had already been gifted a walkover by relegated Cults Artisans.
Crathieremainin danger of a second successive relegation following their defeat by Fraserburgh.
Fraser Lawrence fell one short of a century for the Broch team, for whomPaul O'Neill contributed five wickets.
Queens Cross- Stoneywood-Dyce, who travel to Crathie for their final game, are still in peril of relegation, with time running out.
So are Gordonians, whose game against Banchory was abandoned after nine balls. Crescent beat Huntly, despite four wickets from the home side’s Jordan Squire.
In Grade 3, Turriff's win over Dunecht, coupled with 2nd Mannofield's defeat by 2nd Grammar, meansTurriff survive in the division, with 2nd Mannofield, 2nd Banchory and 2nd Ellon all remaining in the reconstituted Grade 4.
Portcullis beat 2nd Ellon to claim third spot in the table.