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THE Bendigo District Cricket Umpires Association will go on strike this weekend unless amendments are made to four rules.
The BDCUA is frustrated at the Bendigo District Cricket Association's tribunal system and what it believes is a "clear disdain in regards to supporting the BDCUA to manage player behaviour by upholding the penalties detailed within the (match review panel) matrix".
The BDCUA's latest frustration stems from not being able to appeal a "reprimand" penalty given to Eaglehawk second XI captain Sam Fitt after he was found guilty of a level two dissent offence earlier in the season.
Under the BDCA's match review panel matrix a level two offence carries a minimum penalty of two matches if found guilty by the tribunal reduced to one match with an early guilty plea.
Having this week been denied the chance to appeal the minimum penalty per the BDCA matrix not being applied, the BDCUA, which in December vowed to take a zero tolerance stand if player behaviour didn't improve, has threatened to strike.
The BDCUA after meeting on Wednesday night has sought amendments to four rules, including rescinding 24.9 that states: "only the captain will query an umpire's interpretation of the rules during or after play."
The BDUCA believes the decision of an umpire shouldn't be questioned "by anyone as per the spirit of cricket".
Other rules the BDCUA is demanding changes to are:
26.9 - Reportable offences and minor misbehavior reports will be handled under the BDCA match review panel matrix to be amended to: Reportable offences, minor misbehavior reports and tribunal hearings will adhere to the penalties (including minimum penalties) under the BDCA match review panel matrix.
27.7 - The penalties, reprimands, or decisions as laid down by the tribunal shall be recorded by the tribunal convener and convey the results of the hearing to the clubs concerned amended to include results of the hearing also being conveyed to the umpires.
The BDCUA is also seeking amendments to rules 27.9 and 27.10 that would allow it to take appeal action in regards to tribunal outcomes.
The BDCUA has stated it will go on strike from this weekend - a Saturday-Sunday round - if the amendments are not agreed to by 5pm Friday by the BDCA.
League secretary Travis Harling said the BDCA board respected the views of the BDCUA, but the short timeframe to any rule amendments presented a challenge.
"There's a process that needs to be followed in regards to any rule amendments and having a short turnaround time isn't ideal with the consultation involved in making any changes," Harling said.
"We're happy to work with the BDCUA in regards to the issues that have been raised. Hopefully, it doesn't get to the situation where they withdraw their services this weekend."
The BDCUA is slated to provide umpires for 19 games across the BDCA's first, second, third XI and under-18 competitions.
This weekend's BDCA round 11 matches:
Eaglehawk v Bendigo United
Kangaroo Flat v Strathdale
Golden Square v Sandhurst
Huntly-North Epsom v Bendigo
Strathfieldsaye v White Hills
MEANWHILE, Eaglehawk's Canterbury Park will host next month's BDCA Keck-Findlay Shield one-day final.
The final will be fought out between Huntly-North Epsom and Strathdale-Maristians on Sunday, March 1 from 12.30pm.
The QEO is unavailable for the match due to it hosting the AFLW game between Geelong and Richmond the previous day.
The Power have already won this season's Twenty20 title.
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