Ugly brawl mars Bermuda match

Bermudian cricketer Jason Anderson has been handed a life ban for his role in an ugly brawl during a match in the tiny island nation 10 days ago.

Anderson, representing the Cleveland County Cricket Club, incited a row with Willow Cuts Cricket Club's George O'Brien during the Champion of Champions final at the St David's Cricket Club Ground.

Anderson, who has represented Bermuda 14 times, was wicketkeeping when he remonstrated with the batsman O'Brien between overs.

The pair was then involved in a tussle, with O'Brien swinging his bat in Anderson's direction before the two players wrestled each other to the ground. Anderson then aimed a kick at O'Brien, although in appears Anderson's teammate Aaron Adams - who had run in to separate the pair - copped the blow to the head.

Players, officials and members of the Bermuda Police Service moved in to calm the situation and Cleveland president Carlton Smith asked Anderson to leave the field. The match eventually resumed, with Cleveland winning by 72 runs.

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After reviewing the video evidence and reports from the match officials, the Bermuda Cricket Board found Anderson guilty of a Level 4 Code of Conduct breach; physical assault of another player. He was handed a life ban from any involvement in cricket in the country.

O'Brien, who himself has represented Bermuda 12 times, was charged with a Level 3 breach; threat of assault on another player. He was banned from all cricket "for a period sufficient to include 6 Logic 50-over matches."

Speaking after the match, Cleveland captain Allan Douglas said he was unsure as to what specifically had sparked the incident.

"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),” 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."

Douglas said he believed Adams had taken a blow to the head during the scuffle.

"He can’t seem to remember most of the match," Douglas said.

Before the findings from the disciplinary hearing were announced, the Bermuda Cricket Board said: "The BCB is gravely disappointed by the distasteful altercation during the Champion of Champions Final yesterday which marred an otherwise successful return to this historic competition."

Bermuda's Shadow Sports Minister Michael Weeks also expressed his displeasure at the 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.

"We condemn this act without reservation and support the Bermuda Police Service, the Bermuda Cricket Board of Control as well as the Willow Cuts and Cleveland County Clubs as they seek to end this irrational behavior on our sporting grounds and community."

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The Cleveland County Cricket Club also banned Anderson for life.

"The executive and members of CCCC do not condone the behaviour of Mr Anderson," the club said.

"We view these matters seriously and as a community club this is not the type of behaviour that we expect from members of the club, nor the example that we would like to set for our junior players.

"The Club would like to thank Mr. Anderson for his contributions to the success the club has experienced over the last few years as he has been an integral part of that success. We urge Mr. Anderson to seek assistance for his anger issues and the club is willing to help him with these efforts, if he is willing.

"We would like to apologize to the general public for the scenes witnessed during the Champions of Champions final, as this is not the image that Cleveland County Cricket Club wish to portray."