Lancashire opener Salt's bat cleared by corruption unit

After his bat was inspected in the first over, Phil Salt went on to hit 80 runs from 57 balls in Lancashire's five-wicket win against Northants

Lancashire batter Phil Salt has had the bat he used in their T20 match against Northants Steelbacks cleared by the Cricket Regulator's anti-corruption unit.

Salt was alleged to have breached ECB Directives 3.2 and 3.3 after his bat failed an on-field bat gauge test during Friday's Vitality Blast fixture.

The club said that it was the same bat he had used for the past two years for England, Lancashire and in the Indian Premier League, but it did not pass through the gauge on the field and was deemed to have failed the test.

Further tests carried out after the match were deemed inconclusive despite the bat fitting through the gauge on several occasions, but it was eventually found to be compliant with the regulations and no further action will be taken.

"The club and player felt this should have been the end of the matter, but the officials felt it necessary for the bat to be taken away for further testing," the club's statement continued.

"At Lancashire, we believe this whole process could have been avoided with improved processes on and off the field, whether that be through better equipment and/or additional training.

"Following the incident there have been inappropriate comments made by match commentators, inaccurate articles written in the media and some unsavoury social media posts towards the player, that could have been avoided."

In response, the Cricket Regulator said it notes "that the match officials performed their roles fully in compliance with the regulations."

In addition, they said they "acknowledge the cooperation provided by Lancashire and the player in this matter."

An ECB spokesperson told BBC Sport: "We are working with all parties involved to ensure they are clear on the correct process for bat gauge testing."