Warwickshire pitch appeal denied

Warwickshire's appeal to overturn the ECB Pitch Panel's decision to dock them eight points for a 'poor' track has failed.

An Appeal Panel comprising Ricky Needham (chairman), Cliff Pocock and David Acfield was convened to hear the appeal which relates to Warwickshire's home Championship match against Worcestershire on 11-14 May 2011.

Warwickshire won the match easily but the pitch was widely felt to be unsuitable for first-class cricket. Though the club didn't deny that charge they felt the procedure, where the ECB was not alerted to concerns about the pitch by the match umpires, but by a member of the media, could offer ground for appeal. Moreover there felt there were extenuating circumstances relating to the new stands, outfield and drainage at Edgbaston.

The Appeal Panel, however, heard submissions from both Warwickshire and ECB and decided on both counts not to uphold the appeal. Consequently the eight-point deduction remains and Warwickshire were ordered to pay £3000 costs.