Essex County Cricket Club (Essex CCC) and Feroze Khushi have been charged by the Cricket Regulator with breaches of Regulations 3.2 and 3.3 of the Professional Conduct Regulations following the use of an oversized bat during the Vitality County Championship match against Nottinghamshire on 06 April 2024.
The Cricket Regulator brought charges against both the Club and Khushi, alleging misconduct in relation to the size of the bat used in the match.
Essex CCC submitted an appeal, raising concerns of significant and material procedural irregularities that impacted upon the sanction, which was supported by the Cricket Regulator.
Concerns about inconsistencies with the compliance of bat gauges in line with the relevant MCC Laws of Cricket was also highlighted, however despite these concerns, the appeal was unsuccessful.
The Club has been in regular contact with the bat manufacturer, Gray-Nicolls, who supported the appeal process and raised concerns themselves about the inconsistent variance across bat gauges.
An independent Cricket Discipline Commission (CDC) panel has found Essex CCC and Feroze Khushi liable for the charges and has imposed the following sanctions:
• For Essex CCC: a 12-point deduction from the 2024 Vitality County Championship; and a further penalty, suspended for two years, of a deduction of half the available match points (which should include any available bonus points) in any competition in the event of any Essex CCC player committing the same offence within 2 years.
• For Feroze Khushi: a reprimand.
Essex CCC regrets the outcome and, although disappointed with the appeal decision and subsequent sanctions, accepts the charges of the CDC panel. The Club remains fully committed to upholding the integrity of the game and ensuring strict compliance with all relevant regulations moving forward.
In light of the concerns raised during the appeal, the Club will be writing to the CDC, Cricket Regulator and the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to formally highlight the matters which arose during the process, such as those raised by the Club in relation to the bat gauges.
Essex CCC hopes that these concerns will prompt action to address inconsistencies and enhance the fairness and transparency of future regulatory processes. It is committed to working closely with the ECB to ensure improvements are made for the good of the game, both domestically and internationally.
Essex CCC have also supported Feroze Khushi throughout the process and the Club understands the joint responsibility regarding testing playing equipment and therefore, no further action will be taken against the player.
