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This is the real never ending story. Further calls have been made to address Moe’s infamous ‘crazy roundabout’, following more near misses and confusion among drivers. MORE - PAGE 11 Photograph:Tom Hayes
Cricket chaos Physical violence casts dark shadow over local game
By LIAM DURKIN
ANY notion that cricket is a congenial game played by gentlemen was totally lost at the weekend, as a local game descended into total anarchy. In scarcely believable scenes at Traralgon’s Duncan Cameron Reserve, the A Grade match between Gormandale and Rovers was brought to a halt after a near all-in brawl erupted. All hell broke loose in the 43rd over of Rovers’ innings, when players from both sides became engaged in the scuffle. With the majority of local cricket nowadays live streamed, the fight was broadcast in plain sight. Vision quickly circulated online, and was even picked up by national cricket broadcaster Fox Cricket. The incident seemingly brewed from little more than white line fever between Gormandale fast bowler Nathan Heard and Rovers batsman Nathan Findlay. The spelling of their given names was about the only thing the pair agreed on, and by the end of the over, Heard took
the unprecedented step of headbutting Findlay after the two stood toe-to-toe. Heard’s fifth over was his last for the game, and could well be his last for a very long time. His frustration was evident after he had been hit for two boundaries in the space of three balls by Findlay earlier in the over, and also had an lbw appeal against him turned down. Words were clearly exchanged after ball two of the over, after Findlay had mistimed an off drive and Heard had come down the wicket quite noticeably in his follow through. Findlay responded by playing an agricultural shot through square leg, which clearly frustrated Heard even more, as his own response was to change his angle to left arm around the wicket, presumably with the intention of squarely aiming the next delivery at Findlay’s ribs. It can be reasonably assumed Heard was not thinking clearly by this stage, as he returned to his mark by walking straight down the middle of the pitch (to
the uninitiated, such an act is forbidden within the laws of cricket). His fourth ball was dug in short but did not get up, with Findlay defending harmlessly. The fifth was the unsuccessful lbw appeal, followed by another short ball that Findlay pulled fine for a single. Findlay had to step aside from Heard as he completed the run, and after touching his bat in the crease to signal his own cricket safety, quickly found his personal safety under threat. More words were exchanged, Findlay took his helmet off, and then copped the headbutt. Heard was called out by the umpire, walked away, and then charged at Findlay where it was then on for young and old. Amid the commotion, Findlay was tackled to the ground by another Gormandale player, while Heard needed to be dragged back by teammates. Rovers players were quickly on the scene, running from the boundary to remonstrate. It must be said Rovers players did not
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retaliate with more fighting, while to his credit, Gormandale leader Matthew Hibbs made the ‘come here’ gesture at Heard and appeared to have some stern words to him before he was ejected from the arena. Heard left with his playing cap on backwards, perhaps reflecting his antipathy toward the whole situation. It must also be said not all Gormandale players were involved in the melee, with the body language of some clearly indicating they themselves could not quite believe what was happening. Adding to what was already a bizarre situation, a shirtless Rovers playingcoach Lachlan Patterson came onto the ground to talk to the umpire and players assembled (Patterson had his shirt off because it was over 30 degrees, not to start fighting). For all that took place, the incident lasted less than 10 minutes, while play was suspended for around 30 minutes. Continued - Page 45
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