Hanging Heaton’s leading all-rounder Chris Schofield has been banned for four matches by a JCT600 Bradford League disciplinary committee.

The 32-year-old former Yorkshire player has also been handed a four-match suspended sentence following an incident arising from the match at Woodlands on Sunday, June 22.

The Telegraph & Argus understands that Hanging Heaton’s captain Alan Mynett was also suspended for one match for “failing to control his players”. However, he is believed to be appealing against his suspension.

It is understood that Schofield was suspended for breaking the ECB’s (England and Wales Cricket Board’s) spirit of cricket code of conduct after becoming frustrated when several lbw appeals were turned down.

Neither Hanging Heaton nor the Bradford League would comment on the disciplinary hearings but Schofield was only too happy to talk.

After observing the one week’s grace following the hearing, the opening batsman and medium-paced bowler said: “It wasn’t as if I was swearing every ball like the umpires’ report says, and I don’t believe that I offended any spectators – women or children for example.

“But I have learnt my lesson and I won’t be appealing against the sentence. Nevertheless I hope that people still like playing against me.”

Schofield’s suspension starts with Saturday’s match at East Bierley and the Batley side are already short of quality.

Not only will Schofield be missing but leading pace bowler Nick Summerscales is out with a knee injury, overseas player Rizwan Ahmed has returned to Pakistan – apparently due to a family illness – and Mark Inwood is also unavailable.