Lake Albert has fired back against claims it isn’t playing in the spirit of the game.
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The Bulls were asked to explain their actions by the Wagga District Cricket Association (WDCA) regarding the use of 12 men in its win over St Michaels earlier this month.
Wagga Cricket Association president Eric Koetz said a directive was sent out to all clubs to clarify the issue.
He believes Lake Albert interpretating the by-laws to allow a non-batter and a non-bowler “is one – not in the spirit of the game and two – is really pushing the envelope.”
Lake Albert president Scott Turner said that being singled out by the comments was “very disappointing”.
“We are a club that is committed to playing the game by the rules and within the “spirit of the game”,” Turner said in a statement.
“The two umpires who officiated the game deemed the use of the by-law in question as correct and legitimate.
“The by-law was adopted from Cricket Albury-Wodonga (CAW) and has been used in the same manner as LACC applied it against St Michaels for five years.”
However, WDCA operations manager Mel Rosengren reaffirmed that was not how the by-law will be used in Wagga.
“The intent of the by-law was not that, and they (Lake Albert) know that,” Rosengren said.
“We do not play a substitute player rule in our first grade competition.
“It is not the intent of the by-law and it is disappointing.
“Five of the six clubs play in a particular way and that is the way we want.”
Rosengren said Lake Albert should have contacted the executive for a further explanation.
Lake Albert argued that they sought clarity at the special general meeting in September.
However, Rosengren said five people at the meeting could not recall it being discussed.
Rosengren remained firm that nothing more would come from the matter, with the Bulls to retain the four points from the clash.
Turner insisted the Bulls will continue to play within the laws of cricket.
“Our club and players have achieved success not by bending and misinterpreting by-laws,” he said.
“Instead we have done so by developing a positive club culture with exemplary club standards, hard work transparency and a genuine passion for the game.”