Wade suspended for pitch tampering

Victoria captain Matthew Wade has been suspended for one Sheffield Shield match for pitch tampering during his side's win over Tasmania at Bellerive Oval. Wade, who scored 119 during Victoria's first innings on Thursday and Friday was found guilty of breaching the Cricket Australia Code of Behaviour while batting, after the umpires Ian Lock and Sam Nogajski reported him for "unfair play".

"While batting during Victoria's first innings, umpires determined that Wade had tampered with the pitch," Cricket Australia said in a statement. "Both umpires considered the change to the pitch, which resulted in the creation of a long valley within the protected area, had been created by means other than natural wear and tear."

Wade denied the charge and a full disciplinary hearing was held, led by Daryl Harper, the match referee and former Test umpire. Harper upheld the guilty verdict and Wade was penalised 50% of his match fee and received two suspension points, which will result in him missing Victoria's match against Western Australia in Perth starting on Friday.

However, Wade has the right to appeal the decision, which would have to be lodged within the next 48 hours. Tony Dodemaide, the chief executive of Cricket Victoria, said the state would review the finding against Wade before deciding on its course of action.

"We are currently reviewing the events in their entirety before deciding whether to lodge an appeal and will not comment further until that decision has been made," Dodemaide said.