A KEENLY-ANTICIPATED top-of-the-table cricket clash came to an abrupt halt when a row broke out between a former Suffolk batsman and the visitors’ overseas professional.

The match on Sunday ended prematurely when Ipswich CC’s Suwanji Madanayake was given run out in the MSC Suffolk Alliance Section A match at Sudbourne Hall.

He did not agree with the decision and remained on the pitch, saying that he wanted to speak to his captain, Chris Bell. While the interruption continued words were exchanged and it is alleged that Madanayake called home umpire Peter Whyatt a cheat.

Sudbourne Hall captain Mick Peck – the umpire’s son-in-law – took exception to the exchange and declared that he was unwilling to continue.

Graham Denny, chairman of Ipswich CC, was not playing in the match but said yesterday he had received a report from the team captain on the incident. He added: “We will look at it internally and deal with it in-house.

“From what I have heard it was a little bit of handbags which was blown a little bit out of proportion. The majority of the players on both sides were willing to resume the game, but that did not happen.”

Denny added that he understood that Madanayake had used the word cheat but denied it had been directed at the umpire.

Rob Jenkin, one of Sudbourne’s longest-serving players and a key official at the club, said: “Their pro played the ball to fine leg and I fielded it and hit the stumps direct with my throw. He was coming back for his second run, and was given run out.

“He thought he was in and refused to go.

“There was very little ill-feeling through the game and it was just a single flashpoint.”

Peck, who was capped by Suffolk and played 51 times for the county, was unavailable for comment as he flew out of the country yesterday for a business trip.

He is due back in time for Sudbourne’s next match in the cup quarter-finals against Bawdsey on Sunday but had intimated that he might not be available.

Madanayake is a left-arm spinner and batsman who has been coaching at Ipswich this season. On Saturday he opened the batting for Ipswich’s 1st XI and scored a century against Felixstowe.

In Sunday’s match, between two unbeaten teams, Sudbourne Hall had scored 148 all out.

In reply Ipswich were 85 for four with about 15 overs to go when play ended.

The match was finely balanced and could have gone either way from then on.

Suffolk Alliance fixtures secretary Conrad Wright said that the league committee would discuss the matter this week.