Ex Cricket International Banned For a Decade

Source: BBC Sport

Ex-Zimbabwe star Mark Vermeulen has been banned from English first-class and league cricket for 10 years for throwing a ball at spectators.

The 27-year-old had to be restrained by club officials in a Central Lancashire League game between Werneth and Ashton.

Vermeulen, who played eight Tests and 32 one-dayers, lost his cool after struggling with bat and ball.

The ball did not hit anyone and he was led back to the pavilion before his team conceded the match.

League chairman Howard Donsfield told the Oldham Advertiser: "I was at the game and hope I don't ever see anything like it again - it was a sad sight for cricket.

"It's not just about spectators - there was a 15-year-old boy among Vermeulen's team-mates and it's not the kind of example he should set."

Vermeulen has been in trouble with cricket authorities before.

In 1996 he was banned from schools cricket for knocking out his stumps after being given out.

In 2003 he was sent home from Zimbabwe's tour of England for leaving the ground on his own after twice being dismissed for ducks on the third day of the second Test.

The funniest thing about that is that the supporters were actually right about hurling abuse at him as when he threw the ball into the crowd he just hit metal railings. :lol: Jokes aside though thats a very stupid thing to do though I mean he could have seriously injured someone.