Zimbabwe cricketer gets 10-year ban for attack on spectators

London, Sep 14 (UNI) Former Zimbabwe batsman Mark Vermeulen has been slapped a 10-year ban from English first class and league cricket for throwing a ball at spectators.

A volatile player with poor track record, Vermeulen, playing for Werneth against Ashton in the Central Lancashire League match, lost his cool after being taunted by opposition fans in the match and confronted them. He hurled the ball at spectators even though it didn't hit anyone but came rebounding off the railings.

Club official rushed to stop him and his captain Darren Shadford ordered him to leave the ground and then conceded the match.

The 27-year-old player has played eight Tests and 32 ODIs for Zimbabwe.

Later, the Central Lancashire League officials imposed the ban, which got support from the England and Wales Cricket Board.

''The management committee has received reports regarding Mark Vermeulen. Describing his violent and dangerous actions on the field of play, he has been banned for 10 years from the CLL and from all cricket played under the auspices of the ECB. This will take immediate effect,'' read the statement.

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