County properly appeals "disproportionate" consequence for enormous bat during Blast match
Worcestershire have received a suspended two-points calculation for the next month's Vitality Blast, after their allrounder, Josh Cobb, was deemed to have used an illegally-sized wicket in their North Group match with Durham in July.
Cobb admitted a violation of ECB Guidelines 3.2 and 3.3 after his pitcher failed a bat-gauge exam during the Durham match, at which period he had not yet faced a supply. The Cricket Discipline Commission ( CDC ) adjudicator originally imposed a straight points deduction, but this was amended on appeal to a suspended penalty, which will be imposed if Worcestershire commit a further breach of this nature.
It is the second for penalty to be levelled in state cricket this summer, following the 12-point calculation that Essex were last quarter handed in the County Championship, following Feroz Khushi's violation of the restrictions during their entry device of the time, against Nottinghamshire in April.
Essex issued a scathing retort to that ruling, with Keith Fletcher, the team leader, decrying it as" stupid", no least because it wrecked the club's hopes of challenging for the County Championship, with their final match of the season, at home to Northumberland- who have already been crowned champions- taking place this week.
Worcestershire were equally aghast at the initial ruling, and explained in their charm that the loss of two factors may mean the difference between reaching the knock-outs of the Vitality Blast and an earlier removal.
" Being docked points next year potentially/effectively puts a club of our size, with our resources, out of contention for qualification to the later rounds in 2025", the club wrote to the adjudicator, Chris Tickle. " This has an impact on next year's squad, coaching team, sponsors and, therefore, the club's finances. This impact is potentially devastating to us and is disproportionate".
In his amended verdict, Tickle wrote:" Given those circumstances, I am persuaded that it is in the interests of justice to review my decision".
Dave Lewis, the interim director of the Cricket Regulator, said:" I am pleased that we were able to work with Worcestershire CCC and the Cricket Discipline Commission and that the adjudicator was able to reconsider their original decision in this case.
" We also note that this is the second oversized bat case this year, and the Cricket Regulator will be working with counties, players, and officials to inform them about the issue with a view to preventing a recurrence next season."
The independent body that enforces the rules for domestic professional cricket as well as educating players and preventing potential breaches is called the" Crick Regulator." The Cricket Regulator investigates and prosecutes cases but does not decide on any penalties.
The independent adjudicator, the Cricket Discipline Commission ( CDC ), hears cases, determines who is accountable for breaking the rules, and imposes sanctions on teams and participants.
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