The incident occurred in the South Yorkshire League Division One fixture between Rotherham Phoenix and Dearne.

Shocked spectators saw Dearne batsman Gary Edmondson and Phoenix bowler Mo Raza exchange words following an appeal by the bowler.

Then, according to onlookers, Edmondson walked down the wicket and his head struck Raza in the face. Raza reacted and appeared to punch Edmondson in the face.

When things eventually settled down, the match continued, with Phoenix running out winners.

The South Yorkshire League said: “The umpires reported the incident to the League’s Disciplinary Committee. The clubs have been asked for their views and to detail the level of punishment, if any, carried out internally.”

The players could be asked to appear before a tribunal.”

Dearne secretary Mark Lyons said they will hold a disciplinary meeting tomorrow. “I will say that it was extremely out of character for this long-standing member of our team who carries out many duties for the club,” he said.

Phoenix chairman David Arnold: “We will be having a meeting to decide what action we take.

“We do not condone any violence but our player was attacked and we see it as him just defending himself.”