ONE of the leading batsmen in Southern Premier League history has been hit with a suspended ban for shaking his head after being given out.

It is understood Bashley’s Neil Thurgood was reported despite not voicing his dismay having been trapped in front by Lymington’s Ed Freeman in an opening-day victory, umpired by John Attridge and Dean Daniels.

The league announced this week that Thurgood, who has scored more than 6,800 runs in 234 matches in the competition, had received a one-match ban, suspended until the end of the season.

Bashley chairman John Neal politely declined to comment on the nature of the incident but felt the decision to report Thurgood had been “harsh”.

He told the Daily Echo: “We understand and respect the league’s stance on discipline but my worry is how we differentiate between dissent and disappointment.

“We felt Neil had been more disappointed with being given out rather than showing dissent towards the umpire.

“Literally two balls before, he had been spoken to by his captain and instructed to make sure he stayed there for the next 10 overs and then suddenly, he was out.

“I know they are just supposed to walk off but we are all human.”

In the same match, Thurgood’s team-mate and fellow club stalwart Kevin Nash was punished for swearing at an opponent and will miss tomorrow’s trip to Alton (1pm).

Nash, the seventh-highest wicket-taker in Southern Premier League history, received a two-match ban, with one game suspended until the end of the season.

Neal revealed the club had also handed Nash a suspended one-week ban but insisted the veteran had been provoked.

“We all accept that what Kevin did was wrong. It was player-to-player and there was no physical violence on his part, it was words,” added Neal.

“He has been on the scene for 25 years without being spoken to. We felt there were two parties involved but the umpires did not see the incident and, as far as we know, the other party has not been punished.

“The league has a hard job to do. We are not against them or our friends at Lymington. It was an unfortunate incident and our only gripe was that only one person got punished.

“In our report, we said that if you take that kind of competitiveness out of the game, it would be difficult to get hard-nosed league cricket.”

The Daily Echo is awaiting a comment from Southern Premier League vice-chairman and disciplinary chief Steve Vear.

Jake Lilley stands in for Nash at Alton.

Also in the Premier, Lymington are without Ben Rogers and Darren Cowley for their home clash with South Wilts, while New Milton head to Burridge (both 1pm).