Cork fine reduced on appeal

Dominic Cork has had his fine for making abusive remarks to a doping official after last summer's C&G final at Lord's reduced from £1500 to £500 on appeal. However, Cork still remains banned from Lancashire's first 50-over match, now The Friends Provident Trophy, in 2007.

Cork was picked out for a random drug test following the final against Sussex on August 6. He was reported for making abusive comments and the original £1500 fine was imposed along with the ban. However, the ECB Appeals committee - comprised of Gerard Elias QC (Chairman), Alan Moss, Ricky Needham, Tim O'Gorman and Cliff Pocock - met at Lord's on Tuesday.

They heard evidence which was not available to the first panel and concluded that, whilst abuse of a match official justified the imposition of an immediate suspension, the financial penalties imposed were excessive, when the circumstances revealed to the new pane were taken into account.

Lancashire lost a close final by 15 runs and Cork was not out when the final wicket fell.