Hampshire lose appeal over eight-point penalty

Hampshire's appeal against the eight points deducted after a poor rating of the Rose Bowl wicket against Lancashire last week has been lost.

The ECB Media release was as follows:-

An ECB Appeal Panel met today, 1st August, in respect of Hampshire's appeal against the imposition of an eight point deduction resulting from the Pitch Panel finding that the pitch at the Rose Bowl for the Hampshire v Lancashire Frizzell County Championship match (25th-28th July) was rated "poor".

The Appeal Panel unanimously concluded that:

1. the decision of the Pitch Panel to rate the pitch "poor" was a decision which, on the evidence, could reasonably have been awarded by them;

2. no sufficiently extenuating circumstances were established by Hampshire such as to negate the imposition of the points deduction;

Costs of £500 were awarded against Hampshire.

Chairman Rod Bransgrove, Director of Cricket Tim Tremlett and Head Groundsman Nigel Gray left empty handed as the ECB Panel upheld the original decision by the Pitch Inspectors.

"Obviously we are very disappointed at the decision of the panel", said Chairman Bransgrove, "but now we just get on with it and try and secure as many points as possible to make sure we stay in Division I of the Frizzell Championship".

"Management and board has every faith in the ability of Nigel Gray and his team, and will be looking to give them as much support as possible".