Horton handed two game ban

Paul Horton almost led Lancashire to their first Twenty20 title this summer but will sit out the first two matches of their campaign next season after being suspended for dissent.

Horton, the Lancashire captain, appeared to refuse to leave the crease after being given out caught behind in the NatWest T20 Blast Final at Edgbaston, which Lancashire lost to Warwickshire.

Attempting to pull a delivery from Jeetan Patel, Horton was adjudged to have gloved the delivery through to Warwickshire wicketkeeper Tim Ambrose.

He was visibly unhappy with the decision and gestured with outstretched arms towards the umpire.

Horton was charged with a Level Two offence under the ECB's disciplinary code - showing serious dissent at an umpire's decision by word or action - earning him three penalty points.

But the Cricket Discipline Commission decided further action was necessary in accordance with summary procedure regulations 5 and 6.

Given the high profile of the event and the level of dissent shown - Michael Atherton described it as the worst since Chris Broad in the late 1980s - the commission handed down a two-match ban, which Horton accepted.

"I apologise to the umpires for my actions," Horton said. "I realise that these were unacceptable, particularly given the high profile nature of the match, watched by millions around the world on TV and a full house at Edgbaston. As players we must be aware of our responsibilities as role models, none more so than the captain."