TWO Gunnedah cricketers have been given 12-month suspensions by the Gunnedah District Cricket Association after an on-field altercation.
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The incident occurred between the two players during the recent first-grade game between Mornington and Kookaburras.
The Namoi Valley Independent understands after several verbal incidents, things turned violent between the two players with one player swinging his bat and the other throwing a punch.
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Association president Brad Gander said the association would not be releasing details regarding the incident, including the identity of the players in question.
"We will not tolerate any acts of misconduct on the cricket field in our association," Gander said.
"That is why we have taken such a hard stance in this instance.
"Cricket is meant to be a gentleman's game and for something like this to happen is rare and won't be tolerated going forward."
In addition to facing a year on the sidelines, both players will also face a year suspended sentence after serving their suspension.
"We haven't ever really had something like this happen in Gunnedah," Gander said.
"To be honest the committee has had to do some research to try and work out a suitable punishment.
"We think this punishment is an appropriate result given the seriousness of the incident.
"At the end of the day we are here to set an example and grow cricket in the region.
"Both players are very remorseful and I think everyone is pretty keen to put it in the past and move on."