Cricketer seeks legal advice over ban (From Western Telegraph)

Cricketer seeks legal advice over ban

BANNED BATSMAN Dave Lovell, of Lamphey Cricket Club, says his disqualification is just not cricket.

The Australian cricketer has been banned from playing for Lamphey next season after a swearing incident during a game between Kilgetty and Lamphey on August 4th.

The Pembrokeshire County Cricket Club imposed the ban on Thursday, after a disciplinary hearing at Haverfordwest Cricket Club.

The last two months of the ban will be suspended, which means he will be able to play for half the season.

But the ban is widely seen as overly punitive in a sport where swearing incidents usually warrant disqualification for just a few matches.

Mr Lovell is to appeal against the decision and may seek legal action.

Tim Haggar, solicitor with Hains and Lewis, said: We have advised Mr Lovell throughout and are most concerned that the hearing which took place on September 6th was not only contrary to the rules of natural justice, but also not in accordance with England and Wales Cricket Board guidelines.

Mr Lovell, who is a current Welsh international, is a respected and extremely talented cricketer and feels most aggrieved. We will obviously be appealing against the decision of the county club and also considering the possibility of legal action.

The chairman of the county club, Bob Flute, and the secretary, Bill Marchant, declined to comment on the incident.

David Lovell, who is married to a local teacher and has a young son, started playing for Lamphey in 1996.

Originally from Perth, he was in the Western Australian squad and kept the current Australian test cricketer Justin Langer out of that squad over a decade ago.

He has played for Glamorgan, Derbyshire and Warwickshire seconds and is held in such high esteem with the Welsh cricket team that he is regularly asked if there is any local talent in Pembrokeshire. He has already recommended three players, who have gained Welsh honours this year.

Banned: David Lovell.