Appeals launched over cup furore

CRICKET: 

THE Saddleworth League has received several appeals concerning punishments after a turbulent Tanner Cup quarter-final tie.

Sulman Malik (Whalley Range), who was found by the league’s disciplinary committee to have struck Darren Shadford (Saddleworth) with his bat, has appealed against the length of his ban. Range suspended him for two matches and the league added four more. Shadford is also appealing a two-match ban for provocation.

Range skipper Waqas Malik is disputing his own ban (one match plus one suspended until the end of 2015) for failing to control his players.

Janaid Maqsood (one match for entering the field of play without permission) and Paul Davies (two matches for hitting his stumps with the bat) have also appealed. Davies would like his previous good behaviour to be taken into account.

The Whalley Range club is fighting its £100 fine, likewise Saddleworth, which refutes the claim its players used racist and abusive language.

Whalley Range’s Jangai Abbas got a six-game ban for foul and abusive language plus one for entering the field of play without permission, while team mate Faizan Ahmad was suspended for one match for the latter offence. Neither has appealed.

Saddleworth captain Brian Lord has served his one-match ban (another game suspended) for failing to control his players. Both Saddleworth appeals will be heard tonight.