player Richard Basden has led to the case being adjourned until July 20.

Team members turned out in force at a Bermuda Cricket Board of Control meeting on Wednesday night to throw their support behind the all-rounder as he defended serious allegations of bringing the game into disrepute by umpire Jeff Pitcher.

The incidents which prompted the hearing occurred during a match against Western Stars at St. John's's Field on June 28.

Umpire Pitcher has accused the player of refusing to leave the pitch and using abusive language. However, it's understood those charges were denied at Wednesday's meeting.

Gladstone (Sad) Brown, BCBC vice president and chairman of the disciplinary committee, would not say why the case had been held over.

"All I can say about the matter is that the meeting has been adjourned until June 20 and that I am confident that it will be finalised on that date,'' said Brown.

Cuts showed up at the hearing with a number of players in an attempt to have their team-mate cleared of charges which they feel are unjustified and unfair.

But it isn't known whether anybody other than Basden will be allowed to be heard.

The case has become high profile as it's the first under the new administration led by BCBC president El James who has spoken of his plan to improve the disciplinary procedure, following advice from Bermuda Cricket Umpires Association.

BCUA secretary Randy Butler said he had no complaint about the case being adjourned.

"All I can say is that the new board is trying to deal with any disciplinary matters as quickly as possible. As long as the umpire's reports are handed in and the Board arranges to look into the offence then it really is out of our hands,'' said Butler.

"This is a first-time thing for these new Board members and we appreciate the speed in which they agreed to look into this specific case. The only thing I can say is that we are not anxious to see Mr. Basden or any player banned. We just want to have any case that is reported looked into and dealt with fairly.'' However, the BCUA are specifically monitoring this case as they don't want to see any of their members discouraged at a time when there is already a chronic shortage of cricket umpires.

They are still mindful of the case of former umpire Lloyd Tyrrell who quit when a report he handed in with complaints about another Willow Cuts player last season didn't even reach a disciplinary hearing under the old administration.