An Update from Chief Executive, Emma White

Dear Members and Fans,

I want to update you following further developments in the Cricket Discipline Panel proceedings concerning the pitch prepared for our County Championship match against Glamorgan in August.

On 15th September, the Discipline Panel upheld a charge against the Club under the ECB Pitch Regulations and imposed an immediate 8-point deduction against the Club in this season's County Championship, an 8-point deduction suspended through the 2027 season, and a fine of £5,000.

Following that decision, the ECB applied a new rule of its Playing Conditions, introduced this season, which further deducted the 19 points the Club earned in the match. In total, this meant an effective deduction of 27 points.

The Discipline Panel had not been aware of the ECB’s intention to apply that ‘mandatory’ 19-point deduction and did not consider it – or the Playing Conditions at all – as part of its decision of 15th September 2026.

On 22nd September, the Cricket Regulator wrote to the Discipline Panel to disclose that it had failed to bring this new rule of the Playing Conditions to the Panel’s attention at the original hearing.

The Chair of the Panel then called for a further hearing, to consider this issue, which was held on 23rd September. At that hearing, the Club was represented by a newly instructed barrister, Craig Harris of Furnival Chambers, who made submissions on our behalf.

The Discipline Panel has now issued an Amended Decision (click here to view the amended report), resulting from matters considered at the hearing on 23rd September. It has removed the immediate 8-point deduction applicable to the 2026 season in full, for the reasons explained in the Amended Decision. The Panel made clear that the latest hearing and Amended Decision, which relates to the sanction alone, were not appeal proceedings.

Our position on the charge is therefore unchanged. We continue to believe it should not have been upheld, and that we ought not to have suffered the points deduction we have. We therefore still intend to appeal, focusing upon the process and resultant evidential position upon which the Panel was caused to decide the case.

Our recently instructed counsel, Craig Harris, and Oliver Laurence of Periculum Sport shall continue to act for the Club throughout the appeal process.

As we are now engaged in that process, it would not be appropriate for the Club to comment further at this stage. I would again ask all supporters to do the same, and to treat everyone involved, including players and staff from other counties, and those administering this process, with courtesy and respect, both at the ground and online.

Emma White, Chief Executive