Essex hit with a 12-point deduction in County Championship after player found using 'oversized bat'
Essex have been docked 12 points from the County Championship over one of the most bizarre reasons. The Cricket Discipline Committee sanctioned the team after one of their batters, Feroze Khushi, was found to be playing with an 'oversized bat'.
Essex had added 20 points to their tally following a thumping 254-run win over Nottinghamshire away from home. However, Khushi's bat, failed an on-field dimensions check, leading to the points deduction. The punishment has proven costly for Essex, who now find themselves well behind league leaders Surrey in the County Championship Division table, with only a couple of matches remaining.
"Essex CCC regrets the outcome and, although disappointed with the appeal decision and subsequent sanctions, accepts the charges of the CDC panel," a club statement said.
"The club remains fully committed to upholding the integrity of the game and ensuring strict compliance with all relevant regulations moving forward," the statement added
Feroze Khushi scored 18 runs off 20 deliveries in the first innings and 32 runs off 37 in the second.
The independent panel, who came to the ruling, also warned the club that they could face further points deduction. It will be enforced if any member of the squad repeats the offense over the next two years. Essex face a deduction of half of the available match points should a similar circumstance arise during the time frame.
The club tried to appeal the verdict, citing compliance with bat gauges, but it was dismissed. According to a report by BBC Cricket, Essex have been in contact with Khushi's bat manufacturer Gray-Nicolls to discuss the situation.
Essex's Feroze Khushi entrusted the manufacturer to provide regulation willows
The Essex batter had informed the authorities during the dimensions check and ruling that he did not manipulate the willow's dimensions, and that playing with an actionable bat was not his intention. Khushi further stated he assumed the manufacturers provided him with the bats with the legal dimensions.
Australian batter Nic Maddinson was caught in a similar fix when he was found playing with an oversized bat while representing Durham in the 2022 County Championship. The club faced a 10-point deduction for the same.