Blow to Warriors as Harmer suspended

THE Chevrolet Warriors were dealt a blow yesterday when offspinner Simon Harmer was suspended for one match due to disciplinary reasons.

Harmer was slapped with a suspension after an incident transpired with umpire Allahuddien Palekar during a Ramslam T20 match against the Dolphins at Axxess St George's almost two months ago.

The offspinner was charged with using "language that was serious, obscene, offensive or insulting to an umpire".

Harmer pleaded guilty to the offence and as a result has been forced to sit out of the Sunfoil Series match against the Highveld Lions at Axxess St George's starting tomorrow.

Harmer is the leading wicket-taker in this season's Sunfoil Series with 31 scalps from seven matches and collected his season best match haul of nine for 185 against the Dolphins in East London at the weekend.

CSA disciplinary commissioner Professor Rian Cloete said: "It is important that an effective penalty be imposed and it is fundamentally important for disciplinary action to correct behaviour. In the circumstances I am satisfied that the appropriate penalty in respect of this offence, which is a level 2 offence, is a suspension for one four-day match, but without the need, in addition, to impose a fine."

Harmer will be replaced by the experienced Jon-Jon Smuts, who will not only be looking to offer something with the bat but also with his left-arm spinners.

The Warriors squad is: Michael Price, David White, Colin Ackermann, Ashwell Prince (capt), Ryan Bailey, Colin Ingram, Jon-Jon Smuts, Athi Dyili (w/k), Andrew Birch, Rusty Theron, Basheer Walters, Vuyisa Makhaphela -