Threatening Behavior

[filbell]

This weekend I was the only umpire at a 20/20 league game. When the best batsman on one side was bowled the bowler ran down the pitch shouting and celebrating and the dismissed batter took umbrage at this and raised his bat and took 3/4 steps towards the bowler who was close by him.
I thought he was going to hit the bowler and the bowler did. He was restrained and he left the field.
The batsman later apologised to me and the bowler, however after the game I spoke to the bowler (who was the captain) and the batsman and his captain.
I took note of their explanations and told them that the matter would be reported to the relevant authority.
Has anybody dealt with anything similar?
What is/are the suggested punishment should the offender be found guilty and is there any guidelines for this?
Were my actions correct and reasonable?

Thanks

[blackbeard]

There are two issues here, The bowler, what did he say, if anything, to make the batsman act in this way. If the bowler contributed to this by word or action he too should be reported.
Would the batsman, in your opinion, have hit the bowler if he had not been retrained.? As this will be the main reasons for a long ban. Make sure all relevant information is in your report as this will determine both the bowler and batsman's penalty, I would think a ban of at least a 10 league games would be in order for the batsman plus a hefty fine. Some would argue for a life ban? The bowler should received a ban and hefty fine.

Talking to the captains and advising them of the gravity of the situation, was totally the correct action.

[filbell]

Thank you Blackbeard for your reply.

I was unable to tell what was said as the all the players were Asian and speaking (shouting) in their native tongue and I am unable to speak/understand their language(s).
Most of the players can speak English to me but not to each other.
I did ask the bowler if he had shouted/said anything untoward and he said that he hadn't and the batsman did not make mention of any personal verbal abuse.
I do not think the batsman would have actually hit the bowler but who can tell - by the look on the bowlers face he thought he was going to be hit and was taking steps away from him.

Thanks again

[jaybee]

A difficult situation and not one we want to experience.

Although the Law envisages telling the Captain(s) at the time, I'm sure you were right to let things cool off first and let the striker (in one sense and nearly in another!) get off the field i.e. apply Law 43.

Once the batsman had left the field maybe you should have had a quiet word with the fielding captain to tell him that the Laws put the responsibility for behaviour fairly and squarely on the captains and that he and his side should cool it.

Isn't it a pity you had no colleague to take part in all this! Law 42(18) talks about the umpires taking action together and in a situation like this it's always handy to have backup. The fact that the pair of you are saying the same thing gives added weight to what you are saying and doing. It must be a matter of judgment on the day and at the time as to how far you involve the stand-in in the problem.