By DAVID NAGEL
THE West Gippsland Cricket Association has cracked down hard on player and crowd behaviour handing out a lengthy suspension to a spectator at a tribunal hearing on Monday night.
Former Cardinia junior Tyson Browne has been placed on Cricket Victoria’s banned-players list for the next five-years after an altercation with umpire James Leys after the WGCA Premier Division grand final between Cardinia and Kooweerup.
Leys was left with his shirt-collar damaged and with scratches to his face after the incident which took place as supporters converged on the field after Kooweerup’s 53-run victory.
Browne, who has shown remorse, failed to attend Monday night’s hearing.
WGCA general manager Rob Hansen said the association hoped there was a clear message to be taken from the ban.
“We encourage and expect high levels of behaviour from all participants whether they be players or supporters,” he said.
“We are all custodians of the game and we need to leave it in a better place than we found it.”
Cardinia players Simon Parrott and Brayden Browne were also given severe reprimands by the tribunal.
