Berry Faces Suspension After Confrontation With Third Umpire

The Sunday Age

Sunday November 25, 2007

Lyall Johnson

VICTORIAN assistant coach Darren Berry is facing possible suspension over an outburst directed at the third umpire during Victoria's loss to Queensland in the Ford Ranger Cup on Friday night.

Berry, angry with the decision by third umpire Norm McNamara to give David Hussey run out in the 17th over, visited the third umpire's room at the Gabba while play was still in progress and is alleged to have expressed, in colourful language, his view on the decision.

Berry was aggrieved McNamara had given the close call in favour of the fielding side when it was apparent from replays that the camera angles available to the third umpire for his deliberation did not conclusively show exactly when wicketkeeper Chris Hartley removed the bails.

Hussey's bat appeared very close to the line as Hartley brought the ball down.

Queensland won the game by 50 runs and collected a bonus point for bowling Victoria out for less than 194 runs.

After the match Berry was reported and faced an umpires panel for two hours as the four charges against him were heard. Berry pleaded guilty on Friday night to acting in a way that was not in the spirit of cricket as well as the charge of using obscene language.

However, after two hours of hearings, the charges of dissent and attempting to intimidate an official will be reviewed by Cricket Australia Code of Conduct commissioner, Kevin Kelso, who will read the transcripts of Friday night's hearing and conduct a teleconference on Tuesday to take further testimony from the parties involved.

Witnesses to the incident include McNamara and at least three umpiring officials from Cricket Australia and the Queensland Cricket Association who were with McNamara at the time of the alleged incident. It is believed the charges do not exceed a level-two charge and therefore the penalties could include suspensions and fines.

Berry, who is an unashamed Victorian who enjoys stirring people up, was in Sydney yesterday and could not be contacted.

© 2007 The Sunday Age

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