Season over for Yorkshire captain Gale

YORKSHIRE captain Andrew Gale will miss the rest of Yorkshire’s season after being suspened by the ECB for using “obscene” and “insulting” language during his team’s County Championship win against Lancashire at Old Trafford.
By The Newsroom
Published 3rd Sep 2014, 13:26 BST
Andrew Gale feels the pressure after being caught out for six runs for Yorkshire against Lancashire (Picture: Steve Riding).Andrew Gale feels the pressure after being caught out for six runs for Yorkshire against Lancashire (Picture: Steve Riding).
Andrew Gale feels the pressure after being caught out for six runs for Yorkshire against Lancashire (Picture: Steve Riding).

Gale exchanged heated words with Lancashire’s Ashwell Prince as the players left the field on Tuesday evening, with the suggestion that Gale used inappropriate language towards the South African.

Gale already had six penalty points on his licence after he was penalised by the England and Wales Cricket Board for showing serious dissent at being given out by umpire Peter Willey during a County Championship game against Durham in June.

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The accumulation of nine or more penalty points in any two-year period results in automatic suspension, something which has now happened to Gale.

Gale was annoyed with what he perceived as Prince’s time-wasting towards close of play as Lancashire battled to save the game.

Gale is thought to have apologised to Prince ahead of the fourth day, but the umpires felt it necessary to report him to Lord’s.

The Yorkshire captain will now miss the remaining two County Championship games against Trent Bridge - which starts next Tuesday - and at home to Somerset on Tuesday, September 23.

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An ECB statement read: “During Yorkshire’s County Championship match against Lancashire, (Andrew) Gale was reported by umpires Steve Garrett and Steve O’Shaughnessy for a Level Two breach of the directives: using language or gesture that is obscene or of a serious insulting nature to another player, umpire, referee, team official or spectator.

“Gale had previously received six penalty points following a Level Two breach in May 2014. The penalty for a subsequent breach at Level Two within 24 months is six penalty points. Gale has therefore received a total of twelve penalty points, triggering an automatic suspension.

“He will be suspended from all cricket under the jurisdiction of the ECB until and including Friday, September 27, 2014 – a period which covers Yorkshire’s next two First XI fixtures.

“These penalty points will remain on his record for a period of two years and the accumulation of nine, 18 or more penalty points in any two year period will result in an automatic suspension.”

The ECB’s Cricket Discipline Commission will also consider whether any further action needs to be taken against Gale following the incident.

Related topics:Andrew GaleOld TraffordTrent BridgeLancashire