Pomersbach fined for missing club game

as posted here

# Tim Clarke
# January 12, 2009 - 7:22PM

Australian and Warriors power hitter Luke Pomersbach has once again felt the full force of the WACA disciplinary process, after being dropped for this Thursday's Big Bash showdown with Queensland for going AWOL last weekend and ordered to undergo counselling.

After being dropped to the second XI by WA coach Tom Moody after a season of indifferent form last week, Pomersbach's season took a tragic turn when a close friend died suddenly.

That rendered him unavailable for the closing stages of the WA second XI clash with New South Wales - but the 24 year-old then failed to make contact with the WACA on Friday and Saturday, when he was due to play for club side Gosnells.

That breached his contract with the WACA, and while a statement said the Association was sympathetic to Pomersbach's situation, his behaviour had been deemed unacceptable.

"The WACA is understanding and sympathetic to the loss of Luke’s close friend and have taken the delicacy of this into consideration," the WACA said.

"However, the lack of communication between Luke, WACA management and club officials on Friday afternoon and all day Saturday has been deemed unacceptable.

"In addition to this, Luke has breached his contractual obligations with the WACA."

The WACA said because Pomersbach was unavailable for the closing stages of the Second XI clash, and for Gosnells, he was not considered for selection for the KFC Twenty20 match against Queensland this Thursday.

“I regret my actions over the past few days. Whilst I was not in the mental state to play cricket on Friday and Saturday, I should have discussed this before the game with my club and the WACA," Pomersbach said.

"I am very sorry to have put my Warriors team mates through this distraction as they prepare for a critical KFC Twenty20 Big Bash game against Queensland this Thursday.”

Pomersbach was fined a full Twenty20 match payment for the breach of contract and would now seek professional support and counselling for "personal issues", the WACA said.


Pomersbach fined for missing club game

* Tim Clarke
* January 12, 2009 - 7:22PM
* Page 2 of 2 | Single Page View

"They will be followed through by the WACA and the Australian Cricketers Association," the statement said.

The latest censure marks another trough in Pomersbach's turbulent career, which saw him suspended from the WA squad in November 2007, just days after smashing a Pura Cup century against Queensland.

Pomersbach and close friend Shaun Marsh were dumped after being discovered drinking all night before WA's trip to South Australia.

Made to sit out two one-day games and two first-class fixtures, Pomersbach was told he was on his last chance with WACA bosses - and the shock to the system prompted a run of form which culminated in an amazing call-up to the international Twenty20 side.

A bizarre back injury to Brad Hodge sustained while putting on his trousers handed the strangest of international debuts to Pomersbach, overshadowing Michael Clarke's debut win as captain of Australia.

Hodge damaged his back while pulling on his kit, ruling him out and prompting a call-up from the car park for Pomersbach.

as posted here