Essex docked 12 points over use of 'wide bat'

Feroze Khushi has also had a loan spell with Kent this season

Essex have been docked 12 points by the Cricket Discipline Commission after one of their players used an oversized bat, all-but ending their hopes of winning the County Championship.

Feroze Khushi's bat failed an on-field dimensions check during his second innings of April's match at Nottinghamshire which Essex won by 254 runs.

Essex took 20 points from the game but have now lost 12 of those due to Khushi's bat being wider than permitted.

The points deduction leaves Essex 56 points behind Division One leaders Surrey, with two more matches remaining after the current round of games.

The independent panel also handed the county a deduction of half the available match points in any competition in the event of any player committing the same offence within two years.

Essex appealed when the original charge was brought, saying they had concerns over the compliance of bat gauges, but that was dismissed.

The club said they had also been in contact with Khushi's bat manufacturer, Gray-Nicolls, who had raised concerns themselves about the inconsistent variance across bat gauges.

Khushi had not checked bats

Opening batter Khushi told the regulator he had not checked his bats for conformity prior to using them in the 2024 season, and instead had trusted his bat manufacturer to provide conforming equipment.

The 25-year-old, who was given a reprimand by the panel, added that he never intended to use a non-conforming bat.

"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."

In 2022 Durham were deducted 10 points after Nic Maddinson was found to be using an oversized bat, while Derbyshire were given a two-point sanction in the One-Day Cup that same season when Mattie McKiernan's bat did not pass through a gauge.