Created: Aug 08, 2025 08:00 AM (Updated: Aug 08, 2025 08:16 AM)
Controversy at St George’s Cricket Club
Macai Simmons, vice-captain of St George’s, admitted to showing serious dissent toward an umpire, leading to backlash against the club from a former Cup Match player.
Sanctions Imposed on Players
Senior players Onias Bascome and Macai Simmons faced penalties after a tumultuous match at Wellington Oval. Bascome received an official reprimand and lost up to 25% of his match fee for a Level 1 offense, while Simmons was fined 15% to 50% of his fee for a Level 2 offense due to serious dissent.
Public Criticism of Leniency
The sanctions were criticized as being insufficient by the public and former Cup Match players, including noted wicketkeeper Barry DeCouto. He argued that the players should face a minimum three-year suspension for violating cricket laws.
Historical Context of Disciplinary Actions
DeCouto referenced a past incident where cricketing legend Sir Viv Richards received a two-year ban for serious misconduct, emphasizing that no player should be above the game.
Calls for Stricter Penalties
St George’s legend Clarence Parfitt echoed these sentiments, advocating for the clubs to impose stronger sanctions on misbehaving players to maintain discipline within the sport.
Additional Incidents and Security Concerns
Notably, Simmons and Bascome were not penalized for other infractions, including alleged assaults on Somerset players. The situation escalated to the point where police had to intervene to separate the involved parties.
Apologies and Future Actions
St George’s has publicly apologized for the breaches of conduct and reported other players, including Somerset’s Dalin Richardson, facing potential disciplinary actions pending an umpires’ report.
