WPCA disciplinary committee suspend two premier league and two first division A players

Kraaifontein Cricket Club will be without captain Darryl Losper and player-coach Craig Ephraim for this week’s Western Province Cricket Association premier league fixture against Durbanville Cricket Club.

Losper and Ephraim have been suspended by the WPCA’s disciplinary committee.

Losper, who left the disciplinary hearing early and chose not to plead guilty or not guilty, was charged with:

  1. “disputing an umpire’s decision;
  2. “verbal abuse of an umpire;
  3. “making racial/religious/cultural/sexual remarks or comments that could be interpreted as such in nature; and
  4. “threat of assault or physical interference to an umpire.”

The four charges brought a suspension of a total of 68 playing days. Losper is allowed to appeal the suspension.

“For the avoidance of doubt and the sake of administrative completeness, the sentence suspending Darryl Losper for 68 playing days will not run, but will be suspended until Losper appears before the disciplinary committee for a hearing. However, he is indefinitely suspended until such time as he appears before the disciplinary committee for a hearing to settle the matter,” stated the WPCA.

Ephraim pleaded not guilty to these charges:

  1. “disputing an umpire’s decision or acting in a disapproving manner either towards an umpire, their decision, or generally acting in a provocative manner;
  2. verbal abuse of WPCA umpire or official; and
  3. “making racial/religious/cultural/sexual remarks or comments that could be interpreted as such in nature.”

He was found guilty. The three charges brought a suspension of a total of 24 playing days. Ephraim is allowed to appeal the suspension.

“Any person who has been suspended in terms of the WPCA code of behaviour shall not participate in any club activities/functions/meetings, administration, WPCA functions/meetings or any other cricket-related activities including playing, coaching, practice, attending club matches, etc,” stated the WPCA.

“Any person found to be in contravention of this provision may be charged with bringing the game or WPCA into disrepute. The player has the right to appeal the above decision.”

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Victoria Cricket Club, meanwhile, will be without captain Marco Wyngard and wicketkeeper-batsman Phindile Tsolekile for this week’s WPCA first division A fixture against St Augustine Cricket Club.

Wyngard and Tsolekile have also been suspended by the WPCA’s disciplinary committee.

Wyngard pleaded not guilty to charges of “disputing an umpire’s decision or acting in a disapproving manner either towards an umpire, their decision, or generally acting in a provocative manner.”

He was found guilty and suspended for eight playing days. Four of these days have been suspended until the end of the 2025-26 season.

Tsolekile also pleaded not guilty to the same charge. He was found guilty and suspended for four playing days. Two of these days have been suspended until the end of the 2025-26 season.

Wyngard and Tsolekile are allowed to appeal the suspensions.

While an appeal is being formulated and heard, the appellant shall comply with whatever penalty has been imposed by the original disciplinary committee or decision made by the local leagues committee. However, the chairman of the appeals board may – on application by the appellant and on good cause – suspend the implementation of such penalty or decision until after the conclusion of the appeal process,” stated the WPCA.

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