Cricket Albury-Wodonga's man of the moment has dropped a bombshell after revealing he was suspended for one game - for dissent.
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New City's Indian recruit Shoaib Shaikh received the one-match ban before Christmas.
Shaikh, who grew up playing alongside a host of India's current Test superstars, including stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane and Rohit Sharma, stressed he wasn't racially abused.
And The Border Mail can also confirm Shaikh didn't contact the media about the incident, he was just responding to a question, given the ejection of a handful of fans from the SCG Test on Sunday over comments to Indian fielders.
"It was personal abuse, I can say that, yeah," he said.
The former Indian Premier League batsman also stressed he had never been racially abused by spectators.
It was personal abuse, I can say that, yeah ... you get sledged (by opponents) when you are batting, that is different.
- Shoaib Shaikh
Shaikh produced one of the most remarkable modern day innings against Belvoir on Saturday, smashing an unbeaten 149 from a total of 7-197, belting nine sixes.
The right-hander has now clocked up 574 runs at 71.
Wodonga's Tom Johnson is the next best with 370, so it's extremely rare for a player to have that lead and be clearly the association's best batsman.
Given his talent, there's no doubt teams will feel the need to target Shaikh, although there's no suggestion Belvoir targeted him verbally.
"You get sledged (by opponents) when you are batting, that is different," he said.
Shaikh's revelation will place pressure on some teams to 'toe the line' and umpires to guarantee any sledging is kept within the letter and spirit of the law.
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The Indian star has become the association's key wicket and it would take a mighty effort for the club to play finals, although it now sits only a win and a half out of the top six.
The Phoenix hosts Lavington, which is also battling for a finals berth, in Saturday's round 14.
