North Albury veteran and Cricket Albury-Wodonga board member Dave Castello says he has been attacked online in the fallout over a cricket ball controversy.

In August, CAW signed a contract to use Sommers cricket balls, committing to a one-year deal in a move the league estimated would save clubs $40,000.

But the balls have since been plagued by quality issues, with many of them falling apart during games.

Mr Castello was the board member who suggested using Sommers as a cost-saving alternative, with CAW agreeing to use the products after extensive research.

But Mr Castello, who works at The Scots School Albury, said yesterday he had been unfairly targeted on

bigcricket.com and had spoken to police in an attempt to clear his name.

“It’s been a tough few weeks … from a board level, you expect criticism, but I’ve copped some personal stuff which has been really disappointing,” Mr Castello said.

“There has been some fairly nasty allegations on bigcricket.com — I don’t appreciate people saying I have committed a crime, that’s categorically incorrect.

“Even if it’s someone having a bit of fun, they don’t realise the effect it can have on a person.

“Most of it is just taking the mickey, which is water off a duck’s back.

“But working at a school, you don’t want people stumbling across the website and then thinking I am a criminal.

“I’ve spoken to the police and I will be speaking to them again unless I receive an apology.”

Mr Castello said the police had requested a copy of what was written on the web.

He said the police said they would inform him “at a later date as to what action can be taken”.

Mr Castello said he was not employed in any way by Sommers.

But he said that he did buy some of Sommers’ equipment at a discounted price.

“I am not a sales rep and I am not sponsored by Sommers,” Mr Castello said.

“I once emailed Jason (Gillespie, Mr Castello’s close friend) asking him if he knew where I could get some cheap gear and he put me in touch with John (Rennie, Sommers managing director) … but I have no financial interest in the company.”

Det Sen-Constable Tim Simmons from Albury police said forum users had to be careful when they posted information online.

“There is Commonwealth law in place relating to the misuse of telecommunications devices,” he said.

Anyone guilty of using a telecommunications service to menace, harass or cause offence can face imprisonment for up to three years.