The KNCB’s disciplinary procedures will face another test next week with a hearing into an incident during last Sunday’s Hoofdklasse match between VOC Rotterdam and VVV Amsterdam, which led to a Level 4 charge against VVV wicketkeeper Baber Bhatti.

The incident occurred in the 40th over of the VOC innings, as the Rotterdam side were fighting back from a desperate situation on 29 for five.

After an appeal for a catch at the wicket was turned down there was an exchange of words between Bhatti and the batsman concerned, Reinout van Ierschot. As a result of this, Bhatti allegedly struck van Ierschot below the chin.

Apparently feeling that the umpires were slow to react, at least two VOC players ran onto the field, and this intervention led to a Level 1 charge against VOC’s Robbie de Widt.

Under the KNCB’s new disciplinary code a Level 1 booking normally results in a twelve-month probationary period, while a Level 4 offence would be punished by a suspension for more than four matches.

This case has been thought serious enough for the Disciplinary Committee to impose an immediate suspension upon Bhatti, pending next week’s hearing, so that he will be unable to take part in next Sunday’s match against Hoofdklasse leaders VRA Amsterdam.

The prospect of losing their first-choice wicketkeeper could scarcely come at a worse time for VVV, who have slipped into the relegation danger zone in recent weeks. They have had to replace their coach, Mohammed Hafeez, while allrounder Rizwan Akram is just coming back from injury and opening batsman Nolan Clarke is frequently unavailable.