WACA sacks Tom Triffitt
Wicket keeper-batsman Tom Triffitt has been "released" from his Western Warriors and Perth Scorchers contracts, "effective immediately", the WACA has announced.
Tim Armstrong is an injury-replacement player for the Perth Scorchers and does not hold a Western Warriors playing contract, the WA Cricket Association announced at a press conference this afternoon.
Writing on the wall for Triffitt
Triffitt and Armstrong will be required to complete community service in the area of alcohol-related harm.
Triffitt must complete 40 hours, while Armstrong has been given 20 hours.
Both players will be fined the full match payment of $960 applicable to the Futures League game during which the incident occurred.
"Under Cricket Australia regulations, a player can still be selected for State teams despite not holding a contract, however, neither Triffitt nor Armstrong will be considered for selection in any WACA team for the remainder of the 2013-14 season," the WACA said.
WACA management met with both players yesterday and gained an understanding of the events of early Wednesday morning that led to Triffitt being arrested by Queensland Police and charged with two counts of stealing and one count of wilful damage.
The alleged incident occurred while the WA Futures League (Second XI) team was in Brisbane for its match against Queensland.
“We are extremely disappointed by this incident," WACA chief executive Christina Matthews said.
"We have worked hard on contributing to a positive change to the culture and behaviour of our staff and players to give us the best chance of sustainable success on and off the field.
“That said, we understand that progress in this area takes time and is not linear and that this behaviour is inconsistent with what we have seen over the past 12 months."
Ms Matthews said Triffitt's and Armstrong's behaviour did not represent the culture and behaviour of the broader playing group.
“I want to state that Tom and Tim are not bad people, they are young men who have made a mistake, yet must remain accountable for their actions," she said.
"We will continue to support both players where possible and the door is not shut on a cricket career here in WA, however, they will need to earn back the trust and respect of staff, coaches and the playing group through their actions.
“Tom has had some disciplinary issues during his time in WA and he has accepted responsibility for that.
"He had shown signs of progress recently and this is no doubt a significant setback for him.
"We hope that he is able to learn from this and use it as a turning point in his career.
“Tim has been on the fringe of the Western Warriors and Perth Scorchers squads for a couple of years and had also shown signs of positive development recently.
"This, too, is undoubtedly a setback for him, however, we are confident it is not a pattern of behaviour.”
