A cricketer could face a lengthy ban after being sent off in a match at Cumnor, near Oxford.

Bourton Vale fielder Mark Whitney was dismissed following an altercation in his side’s MP Sports Cherwell League Division 1 match with Cumnor on Saturday.

He is the first player to be sent off in Cherwell League history after the England & Wales Cricket Board this season gave umpires the power to take such action.

A throw to the wicket-keeper struck Cumnor batsman John Williams on the head, prompting a confrontation that ended with Whitney being sent off by the umpires Mick Stockwell and David Blake.

Whitney, who received a two-match ban after an incident with the crowd in a Division 1 match at Horspath earlier this season, will learn his fate at a disciplinary hearing.

If found guilty of the ‘level 4’ offence, Whitney would face at least a ten-match ban, ruling him out for the rest of the season.

Cumnor club captain Alastair Lee said: “There was an incident involving a Bourton Vale player which was dealt with at the time by the umpires.

“It is appropriate that the umpires and powers that be deal with the situation.”

Bourton Vale captain Paul Lazenbury declined to comment.