Ham sandwiches fail to appeal at cricket match

(First Edition)

MUSLIM cricket players were disciplined by a Midlands village league for swearing when caterers offered them ham sandwiches in the tea interval.

Officials docked 25 points from the Kashmir club, which plays in the Morganite league in Hereford and Worcester.

Kashmir, from St John's, Worcester, were playing Wollaston at Lea Castle Hospital near Kidderminster. Steve Perry, of Wollaston, said: 'They got upset because the ham and cheese sandwiches were lumped together on the same tray. It was a pure mistake, but they gave the poor catering staff a load of abuse.'

Rafiqt Ali, Kashmir's fixture secretary, denied they had been rude. He said: 'We didn't eat any sandwiches at all because of what happened. Pork is banned for Muslims. But that was only a small part of what went on that day. Their bowlers swore at our batsmen.'

Kashmir are allowed to appeal against the penalty. Wollaston won by three wickets.