By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
A MAN’S head was struck twice with a bat during an all-in brawl at a social cricket match in Endeavour Hills on Sunday.
Detective Senior Constable Stephen Boyle, of Casey CIU, said the fight was sparked by a disputed umpiring decision about 3.30pm at Police Paddocks Reserve, Brady Road.
An outfield catch was taken but voided by an umpire, supplied by the batting team, calling a front-foot ‘no-ball’.
The fielding side allegedly felt cheated and refused to play on, prompting a member of the batting team to strike the fielding captain twice with a cricket bat – to the face and back of his head.
The cricket ‘friendly’ then descended into a mass of punches exchanged between players. Police were called to subdue the fracas.
The captain was hospitalised with a broken nose and swelling to the back of his head.
“It’s not yet known whether surgery will be required for his nose,” Detective Boyle said.
Detective Boyle said a man had been interviewed over the incident and released pending further inquiries.
The game may have also proved “wide” of the law for other reasons.
Dandenong and District Cricket Association secretary Ray Nicholls said he didn’t believe the match was linked to any formal cricket association.
He said cricket grounds in the region were being used ‘illegally’ by informal groups, who ought to first seek council permission.
“People think they have a right to go onto any ground at any time. If it’s an organised game, they have to ask the council and pay a casual users’ fee.
“That’s across any municipality. There are good legal and insurance reasons for it.”
Endeavour Hills Cricket Club, which is based at the ground, didn’t play on the weekend.
Vice president Gary Parsons said: “We’re the only ones who use the ground to play games. There were no matches sanctioned by us.”
He said the social cricket games “were not fair to us”.
“We pay a fee for the maintenance of the ground, while they come in and play a game whenever they want.”
Casey Council, which manages the ground, was unable to respond before deadline.
Any information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or crimestoppersvic.com.au, or call Detective Boyle on 9705 3114.
