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Writing on the wall for Triffitt

Tom Triffitt. Pic: Getty Images

Wicket-keeper Tom Triffitt will almost certainly be sacked from the State squad when the WA Cricket Association reveals the player's fate.

The 23-year-old was grilled by chief executive Christina Matthews and cricket operations general manager Ben Oliver in a closed meeting yesterday.

Triffitt was ordered back to Perth to face WACA management after being charged with wilful damage and two counts of stealing over an alleged incident in central Brisbane.

He was arrested just before 5am on Wednesday, day three of a Futures League match he was playing in.

The future of WA teammate Tim Armstrong, who was out with Triffitt but was not charged, remains in the balance.

WA coach Justin Langer has told the playing squad that any alcohol-fuelled indiscretions will not be tolerated, leaving officials with little option but to sack Triffitt given the charges and the association's $2.1 million sponsorship deal with Healthway.

Triffitt's manager Tony Box is due to fly into Perth today.

Perth Scorchers captain Simon Katich, preparing for next Wednesday's Big Bash League semifinal against Sydney Sixers, said the incident was a "big setback" in the quest to turn around a perceived poor culture within WA cricket.

"It's hard because a lot of people have done a lot of work, particularly Justin," Katich said. "He'll be the one that feels the most let down and rightfully so.

"He's put a lot of time and effort into these guys and sometimes the penny doesn't drop with some of them. Hopefully this situation will get sorted out properly … this is the last thing we wanted to be having to deal with leading into what is a big week."

Langer had flown to Brisbane to gauge players' form. But it is understood he ended up having to visit Triffitt at the police station.

Katich said Langer and acting team manager Geoff Marsh should not have to nanny players.

"At the end of the day, these guys are grown men," he said. ·All-rounder Ashton Agar has been suspended from WA's next four-day match after accepting a sanction for showing dissent against an umpire's decision during the match on Wednesday.