Yorkshire to appeal Twenty20 expulsion

Yorkshire have announced they are going to appeal against their expulsion from the Twenty20 after they fielded an ineligible player, 17-year-old Azeem Rafiq, during their group match against Nottinghamshire.

An ECB disciplinary committee awarded the points from the match at Trent Bridge to Nottinghamshire, who are now set to play the quarter-final against Durham which was postponed when the Rafiq issue came to light. Yorkshire won the match handsomely by nine wickets and Rafiq played a minimal role, bowling two overs for 18.

"The club feel that the punishment is manifestly disproportionate to the offence and as such feels duty-bound on behalf of its players, members and staff to lodge an appeal," Yorkshire said.

Glamorgan, the other side who could into the equation as one of the best third-placed teams, feel the points shouldn't be awarded to Nottinghamshire and instead the match annulled. This would mean they would take the quarter-final place.

Durham, too, are unhappy about the situation because they will be unable to field some of the players who helped them reach the quarter-final in the rearranged match. Shaun Pollock and Albie Morkel have now left the club and although Shivnarine Chanderpaul arrives as a replacement they feel at a disadvantage.

"I'm disappointed about the whole affair," said chief executive David Harker. "We have already put the case that we are being unduly punished for something that had nothing to do with us."

Yorkshire's appeal will be heard on Monday July 14 at Taunton.