Cricketer causes storm on social networking site

A county cricketer has caused a storm on a social networking site after posting negative comments about his home town of Northampton. Credit: PA

County cricketer David Willey has caused a storm on a social networking site after posting negative comments about his home town of Northampton.

Northamptonshire County Cricket Club's David Wiley, who is the son of former England cricketer Peter Willey, tweeted the controversial comments yesterday:

"What is it with the majority of Northampton being incredibly rude! #mannerscostnothing #scum".

Team-mate Niall O'Brien responded: "Town centre?" to which 22-year-old Willey, who is from Northampton, tweeted: "Yes, terrible isn't it! Absolute dive!"

David Smith, chief executive of Northamptonshire Cricket Club, said he hoped coverage of his comments would make the player think about what he had said.

In a statement released by the club, Mr Smith said:

The player apologised today via his Twitter page, saying: