Video: Bermuda cricketer Jason Anderson given life ban for role in ugly on-field brawl

Bermuda’s Jason Anderson and the ugly fracas that he instigated

A massive brawl that involved bats being aimed at heads and police vehicles being driven up to the pitch was seen during one of the biggest domestic matches in Bermuda last week. Such was the ugliness of the incident that a player has been banned from any form of cricket activity in the country in the future.

The incident took place during the final match of the ‘Champion of Champions’ tournament in the island of Bermuda, which was being played between Cleveland County Cricket Club and Willow Cuts Cricket Club at the St David's Cricket Club Ground.

Seemingly out of the blue, Cleveland wicketkeeper Jason Anderson, who has appeared in 14 international matches, went up to the Willow Cuts batsman George O’ Brien, and punched him. The batsman turned around and aimed a swish of the bat at his head.

As teammates started to converge around the duo, Anderson seemed to go even more berserk and launched a renewed assault on the batsman. One of his teammates, Aaron Adams – who had run in to separate the pair – unfortunately copped the bat’s blow to the head. The unfortunate Adams can now recollect very little from the match.

The incident was brought to an unsightly end by the two players wrestling each other to the ground.

Players, ground officials and police forces ran in to calm the situation and Cleveland president Carlton Smith asked Anderson to leave the field. The match eventually resumed, with Cleveland winning by 72 runs.

Urge Mr. Anderson to seek assistance for his anger issues: Cleveland CC

After reviewing evidence, the Bermuda Cricket Board found Anderson guilty of a Level 4 Code of Conduct breach; physical assault of another player, and banned him for life. The batsman, O’Brien, who attempted to use his bat as a weapon, was found guilty of a Level 3 breach; threat of assault on another player. He was banned from all cricket "for a period sufficient to include 6 Logic 50-over matches."

Speaking after the match, Cleveland captain Allan Douglas said that he was as taken aback by what had happened as the rest of the world, but explained that frustration building up was probably the reason for the fracas.

"I think a little bit of frustration built up by Jason, dropping a catch and missing a stumping, but I don’t know what was said between George and Jason because I was at the other end of the wicket (bowling),” Douglas told The Royal Gazette.

"Once I saw those two going at it, that’s when I decided to jump into the middle and try to break it up; me and Aaron Adams."

Cleveland have also banned Anderson for life on grounds of bringing disrepute to the team, advising him to get anger-management lessons.

"The Club would like to thank Mr. Anderson for his contributions to the success the club has experienced over the last few years as he has been an integral part of that success. We urge Mr. Anderson to seek assistance for his anger issues and the club is willing to help him with these efforts, if he is willing.

Video of the incident: