Essex disappointed after ECB docks 12 points over ‘illegal bat’ controversy

Essex, who finished second at last year’s County Championship, were docked 12 points by the Cricket Discipline Commission. One of their players, Feroze Khushi, was found to have used an oversized bat during Essex’s opening match in April. 

The issue happened during the second innings of Essex’s clash against Nottinghamshire on April 6, when the onfield umpires Tom Lungley and Steve O'Shaughnessy found that Khushi was using an oversized bat, with it being stuck in their measurement gauge.

"Essex CCC regrets the outcome and, although disappointed with the appeal decision and subsequent sanctions, accepts the charges of the CDC panel," a club statement said.

"The club remains fully committed to upholding the integrity of the game and ensuring strict compliance with all relevant regulations moving forward.

"In light of the concerns raised during the appeal, the club will be writing to the CDC, Cricket Regulator and the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to formally highlight the matters which arose during the process, such as those raised by the club in relation to the bat gauges. "Essex CCC hopes that these concerns will prompt action to address inconsistencies and enhance the fairness and transparency of future regulatory processes."

According to ESPNCricinfo’s reports, 'Khushi said that he had trusted his bat manufacturer to provide equipment that confirmed to MCC's regulations, with Law 5.7.2 stipulating that a bat's width should be 10.8cm.'

"We appealed the initial judgment and it was supported by the cricket regulator, but the initial decision was upheld,” Essex’s chairman Anu Mohindru KC said. 

"Since then, no other bat has been tested. My issue is with the apparatus for testing not being standard. I'm not suggesting we did not fail the final test and I don't have any criticism of the umpires and match referee but it is not a level playing field if we are all using different gauges. I would like to think we are not being singled out in this matter."

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