Cricketer James Postill slapped with two-year ban for ‘striking opponent’ (From York Press)

Cricketer James Postill slapped with two-year ban for ‘striking opponent’

10:29am Wednesday 21st September 2011 in York Senior League

Clifton ALLIANCE II batsman James Postill has been handed a two-year ban and his club relegated to division two of the Hunters York & District Senior Cricket League after he admitted striking an opponent with a bat.

The incident, which took place during a match at Driffield, caused the game to be abandoned and saw Postill hauled before the league’s disciplinary committee.

Postill, who also admitted a charge of bringing the game into disrepute, expressed genuine regret for the incident, said the committee, and they considered the serious nature of the offence and took into account the player’s previously impeccable record.

Their decision to impose a two-year ban was well below the sentence of five years which could have been imposed. Postill has the right to appeal in front of a neutral panel.

With the umpires having abandoned the match, the committee unanimously awarded the points from the game to Driffield and, in accordance with the league’s ‘schedule Of disciplinary penalties’, imposed a 30-point deduction penalty.

This meant that Clifton Alliance II were relegated to division two while Driffield, who had finished in 11th place, now retain their division one status.

The Clifton club will also be hit with a 50-point merit table deduction.