Wellington's entire State Championship cricket team has been cited for unacceptable behaviour under cricket's Code of Conduct and will face a mass disciplinary hearing at the end of their match against Otago at the Basin Reserve tomorrow.

The blanket citing, thought to be a first in first-class cricket, was made by Otago coach Glenn Turner after an incident, provoked by an umpire's decision, on the second day of the match in Wellington today.

Turner lodged his complaint against all 11 Wellington players at the close of play, citing appendix 2A of the code which refers to unacceptable behaviour.

Turner's complaint concerned Wellington's communal behaviour when an appeal for a catch against Otago batsman Chris Gaffaney was initially turned down by umpire Mike George.

Gaffaney was five in the sixth over of Otago's second innings when he appeared to edge a ball from James Franklin to Wellington captain Richard Jones at third slip.

Wellington appealed unanimously for Gaffaney's dismissal and George rejected the appeal under the apparent impression the ball had not carried cleanly to the fieldsmen.

The Wellington players, clustered around Gaffaney at the striker's end, stood for some time in mute disbelief then turned to square leg umpire Evan Watkin for intervention.

Watkin eventually consulted with George and at the end of their discussion, George reversed his decision and Gaffaney was dismissed. Otago was then seven for three.

Turner complained that Wellington's behaviour, which was concerted, their refusal to accept George's ruling and their appeal to Watkin amounted to unacceptable behavour under appendix 2A.

The matter will go to a full hearing when play concludes tomorrow. At the close of play tonight Wellington was 92/3 in its second innings, still needing 79 runs for outright victory with seven second innings wickets in hand.

Jones, at the epicentre of the controversy, was 49 not out.

Jones had taken the captaincy of the Wellington team in this match in the absence of Matthew Bell who is serving a one-match suspension after being cited by umpire George over an incident in Wellington's previous match against Northern Districts last week.

Turner was unable to comment on the citing today, saying team and match officials were constrained from comment till a hearing had been held.

The blanket nature of the citing raises the almost surreal possibility that Wellington entire first XI could be stood down for one or more forthcoming matches.

© CricInfo