Club Statement

We are aware of a video clip circulating from this weekend involving our professional Thikshila de Silva’s reaction having been given out caught behind in this weekend’s 1st XI fixture against Crompton.

Whilst we do not as standard comment on disciplinary matters, we wish to provide a response from the club given the reach this clip has attracted.

The umpires charged Thikshila with a Level 1 offence on the field, communicated this to our captain during and after the game and reported this following the game.

Following communication of this report from the Lancashire League Executive Committee, Great Harwood Cricket and Sports Club held a disciplinary hearing, following which Thikshila was imparted with an appropriate sanction, imposed by our disciplinary officer in accordance with the ECB General Conduct Regulations (GCR). This decision has since been ratified by the Lancashire Cricket League disciplinary panel. Thikshila de Silva accepts in full the findings of the hearing and the sanction imposed.

Thikshila de Silva said:

I would like to apologise to the umpires, my teammates and the club for my reaction on being given out on Sunday.

I have been playing cricket all of my life and have never reacted in this way. I felt I hadn’t hit the ball and in the moment let my feelings get the better of me.

I understand that the umpires decision is to be respected at all times and that it is unacceptable to react in such a manner.

Club director Stuart Maher said:

We accept entirely the umpires’ decision to report a Level 1 disciplinary offence regarding club professional Thikshila de Silva following Sunday’s game against Crompton. We have taken appropriate disciplinary action regarding this matter and reminded Thikshila of his responsibility as club professional. We now consider this matter closed.

The club would like to remind all players of their conduct requirements when representing Great Harwood, and in particular the need to accept and respect the decisions umpires make in games.

We would also like to remind supporters of their responsibilities when attending at Evolve Document Solutions Cliffe Park. Directing comments to umpires about their performance during or after games is not acceptable. The umpires have a hard enough job without having to worry about things that may be said to them by spectators and the game does not take place without them volunteering their time.