Eastern Counties competition for his conduct in the first round match against Flatts.

And further disciplinary action could be taken by the governing body, the Bermuda Cricket Board of Control, after they summoned him to a hearing on Tuesday night after studying umpires reports from both the counties match and the league encounter against Nationals at National Sports Club which Bailey's Bay lost.

That matter has not been concluded, BCBC president Ed Bailey confirmed yesterday. Smith has been instructed to re-appear on August 22.

Harold Millett, president of the Eastern Counties Cricket Association, would not confirm Smith's suspension from that competition when contacted this week, only saying that action had been taken against him.

"There were also a few other disciplinary matters resulting from the last game but I can't say what they are because things are not complete,'' said Millett.

Smith reacted angrily to umpire Ronald O'Hara after being run out for 64 when Dwayne Leverock's throw hit the wicket at the non-striker's end. Smith was later named man of the match.

The suspension will delay his bid to become the latest player to score 1,000 runs in the competition. His knock in the first round took his aggregate in the competition to 785, moving him into eighth place overall.

The man responsible for leading Bailey's Bay to their first league title last season since 1978 was missing when Bay played Southampton Rangers in the league on Sunday and already there is talk around the club that Smith will not be captain next season. He was also in charge of the team when they regained the Eastern Counties Cup from St. David's in 1993.

At the end of last season suspensions handed down to three senior players spoiled what was an otherwise perfect season for the club as they picked up four trophies.

Noel Gibbons, Charlie Marshall and Terry Burgess all missed the first couple of months of this season because of suspensions. Gibbons and Marshall have resumed their careers but Burgess has not played this season.

Bay put another title on the line this weekend when they take on Western Stars in the semi-final of the Knockout Cup but it is not known if Smith will be back in the team. Ricky Hill captained the team last weekend.

Chris Smith