News

Shahzad reprimanded for pitch damage

Ajmal Shahzad, the England pace bowler, has been reprimand and warned about his future conduct

ESPNcricinfo staff
23-Sep-2011
Ajmal Shahzad escaped a harsher punishment for his actions  •  Getty Images

Ajmal Shahzad escaped a harsher punishment for his actions  •  Getty Images

Ajmal Shahzad, the England pace bowler, has been reprimand and warned about his future conduct after admitting deliberately scuffing up the pitch during Yorkshire's Championship match against Warwickshire at Edgbaston.
Although the incident wasn't spotted at the time by the umpires, Shahzad was caught by the recording software, Cricstat, used by all counties to analyse matches and a complaint was lodged.
Shahzad admitted the incident and that, along with his apology and a previously clean record, were taken into consideration by the ECB disciplinary panel headed by Edward Slinger. Along with the reprimand Shahzad, who last played for England during the World Cup, was ordered to pay £750 costs.
The panel also considered a charge against Jon Lewis, the former Gloucestershire seamer who has joined Surrey for next season, of making deliberate contact with an opposition player during Gloucestershire's match against Essex in August.
Lewis pleaded guilty and as three penalty points had already been awarded along with action by Gloucestershire the panel decided no further action was required.