A few weeks ago, as you may recall, Mohammad Amir breached his five year ICC ban for spot fixing against England at Lord’s in 2010 by the deliberate bowling of no balls ‘to order’, by turning out to play a Surrey Cricket League (SCL) fixture for Addington 1743 Cricket Club against St Lukes Cricket Club. There was much commentary on this issue at the time in the national cricketing press.
Mohammad Amir represented Addington 1743 at a time when he was banned from participating in any cricket match under the jurisdiction of a national board, in this case the ECB, by the ICC for five years
A decision has been reached by the SCL to expel Addington 1743 from its league. This expulsion is suspended and will remain in place until the end of the 2013 season. Is this punishment fair? Well, yes. Amir was arguably the best bowler in the world in 2010 and his presence in a game at a very amateur level is clearly against the spirit of cricket. His performance that day with both bat and ball did much to ensure Addington’s victory, which has now been over turned.
The letter from the SCL is outlined in full below:
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Acting Chairman’s Statement to all SCL Member Clubs
Dated Wednesday 27th July 2011
Following a full investigation and completion of the due process set out in the SCL Disciplinary Procedures, Addington 1743 CC was found guilty on two charges at a hearing held last Tuesday 19th July 2011 by the unanimous decisions of the 5 man disciplinary panel. The two charges were as follows: 1. By playing Mohammad Amir, a cricketer who was the subject of an ICC ban, the club has not maintained the highest standards of conduct in breach of the ECB Code of Conduct. Furthermore Addington 1743 CC, through the actions of its officials, has assisted in and facilitated the player breaching his ICC ban. It is considered that the club has thereby brought the game of cricket in general, and in particular in this instance, the name of the SCL into disrepute. 2. The SCL also considers the club to be in breach of Playing Condition No.11 – Players eligible to play – by playing a player of a notably higher standard than the normal level of that division, who had an undue influence on the result of that match. No appeal has been lodged by the club agaist those verdicts within the prescribed time limit so the following penalties can now be published in full. 1. Addington 1743 CC to be expelled from the SCL. This expulsion order is to be suspended and remain in place until the end of the 2013 season. 2. Raheal Shafi – Club League Representative – to be banned from playing for 5 league matches (23rd and 30th July, 13th and 27th August and 3rd September 2011). 3. Ijaz Raja – Club Captain – to receive a similar 5 match ban with the dates as in 2.above. *If any of these fixtures do not take place ie. cancellation, the bans will be carried forward into the 2012 season. 4. The match is awarded to St. Lukes who will receive 20 points with immediate effect. Addington 1743 CC will be deducted 20 points with immediate effect. 5. Addington 1743 CC are fined £35 costs. A further, more detailed, statement will follow in due course.
Yours sincerely Paul Harrison Acting Chairman |
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