TALENTED Hoylandswaine opening batsman Alex Morris has been banned from cricket this coming weekend and fined £100.

The prolific left-hander has been suspended by the Drakes Huddersfield League for abuse to umpires during his side’s Premiership win at Golcar on April 26.

Morris is banned from midnight on Friday until midnight a week on Thursday, May 21, and will miss a big home double-header against the league joint leaders.

Hoylandswaine take on Honley at Haigh Lane on Saturday before their second-round arrowselfdrive Sykes Cup clash against Scholes – and Morris will sit out both matches.

Drakes disciplinary chiefs have also imposed a suspended one-week ban, which will stay in place until September 30 and will kick in immediately should Morris be found guilty of any other indiscretions.

Morris has played a key part in Hoylandswaine’s outstanding successes of recent seasons – they hold the Byrom Shield, Sykes Cup and allroundercricket.com T20 Trophy – and, this term, he has scored 172 runs so far at 34.4.

Last season, he finished with 680 runs at 32.38 and top scored with 87 in Hoylandswaine’s Sykes Cup final win over Golcar at Honley’s Far End Lane ground.

In the match at Golcar for which his behaviour has been punished, the home side were bowled out for 92 and Hoylandswaine knocked them off with six down. Morris scored 13 and was lbw to Steve Whitwam.

Hoylandswaine did not appeal against the findings of the disciplinary committee.

In common with all suspensions, during his ban Morris is not eligible to play in any other league or competition operating under the auspices of the England or Yorkshire cricket boards.

Morris will be free to play again when Hoylandswaine visit Kirkburton on Saturday, May 23.