Points deduction 'a punch to the guts' for Essex

Feroze Khushi told the regulator he never intended to use a non-conforming bat and had trusted his bat manufacturer to provide conforming equipment

Essex chairman Anu Mohindru has said a 12-point deduction imposed for Feroze Khushi using an oversized bat was "like a punch to the guts" for the club's players.

The sanction, which was applied in the County Championship, came after Khushi's bat failed an on-field dimensions check during his second innings in Essex's win over Nottinghamshire in April.

Mohindru said he had written to the sport's governing body asking why the punishment could not be suspended.

In its ruling, the Cricket Discipline Commission said it expected to apply the rules "more consistently" in similar cases going forward.

Mohindru said he felt the points deduction, imposed in September, affected Essex's performances in their final matches of the season.

They finished fourth in the County Championship, two points behind third-placed Somerset.

"It was almost like a punch to the guts, it takes the wind out of your sails," Mohindru told BBC Essex Sport.

Mohindru says he is hoping for "more clarity" on the rules for next season

About two weeks after Essex's sanction was announced, Worcestershire confirmed they had been penalised after a bat used by Josh Cobb in a T20 Blast match failed a bat-gauge test.

They were originally handed a two-point deduction in the T20 competition in 2025, which was later suspended after Worcestershire appealed.

'Discrepancy'

Mohindru said he could not understand why Essex did not receive similar perceived leniency.

"What you want a governing body to be is just proportionate and consistent. I'm not sure that's what's happened in these circumstances," he continued.

"I believe we are entitled to an explanation of why there's such a discrepancy between us and Worcestershire's position when, on the facts of it, it's pretty much the same."

The Essex chairman said he awaited a response from the Cricket Regulator, having asked for "the thinking behind" its decision.

"Perhaps we might have some more clarity and a more defined structure with regard to this for next year," he added.