- Norths sanctioned after declaring first innings at 14-1
- Club was trying to manipulate final league standings
A dubious declaration in the final round of the Queensland Premier Cricketfirst grade competition has led to sanctions for the club involved.
Northern Suburbs declared their first innings at 14-1 last weekend in response to University of Queensland’s 675 in an attempt to manipulate the final standings of the competition and their semi-final opponents.
Norths were hoping to avoid playing University in the finals by gifting them first-innings points.
Following a protest by University and fellow finalists Valley and Western Suburbs, the competition committee ruled Norths’ actions were “detrimental to the game or the spirit of the game”.
The committee determined the first innings result would stand but UQ would receive five points instead of the usual 12. Norths received zero points for the fixture.
That ruling means Wests finish top of the regular season standings ahead of UQ with Norths third and Valley fourth.
UQ will therefore host Norths in a two-day semi-final this weekend while Wests host Valley.
As further punishment, Norths have been docked 12 points for the start of next summer’s competition.
The club will also be ineligible to host a semi-final or final of Brisbane club cricket’s top tier next season.
Norths have 14 days to appeal the decision.