The Osborne Cricket League has banned a player for the first time in its history.

Ben Wilson, who plays for Birch and Layer Breton in division four of the league, has been suspended until the end of the season for alleged threats made to an umpire.

The incident took place during Birch's match with Eastcliff on June 6, which the Clacton side won by 73 runs.

The umpire, who was aged just 16, was verbally abused by Wilson during the match's tea interval, it is alleged.

The Osborne League's disciplinary committee took the decision at a recent meeting.

It is the first time in the league's 20-year history it has been forced to ban a player.

League secretary David Merriday said: "It really was nothing to do with Birch Cricket Club - just this one player.

"We have to show people we won't accept violent behaviour towards our umpires."

"We want to show the world that we are strong enough to suspend players who behave themselves badly."

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