Newton-le-Willows have been hit with an 80-point penalty due to a breach of regulations over their Pakistani batter, Rizwan Haider.
The deduction moves them to the bottom of the Love Lane Liverpool Competition ECB Premier Division and leaves them in a relegation fight, 26 points from safety, having been in the top half of the table after their last game.
Newton have also been eliminated from the Ray Digman Cup, with Rainhill taking their place in the semi-final against holders Wallasey.
The ECHO understands Rizwan was in the country on the wrong visa, having played a professional cricket match within a four-year timeframe before his arrival.
Powerful left-hander Rizwan played 10 league games for Newton and three in the cups. He made 742 runs at an average of 82.44 in all competitions, hitting four 50s and three centuries.
The league games in which he played - including wins over second-placed Ormskirk and third-placed Northern - have not been struck from the record.
