A Cricket Self-discipline Fee (CDC) Panel steered that the Arctic Monkeys live performance that came about on the Ageas Bowl the earlier month had a “appreciable influence on the grass on the sq.” and famous a remark by Simon Lee, the pinnacle groundsman, which steered that he had been instructed to arrange a pitch providing “seam motion”.
Wayne Midday, the match referee, marked the pitch as “under common”, which was deemed a breach of pitch laws, except Hampshire may reveal that they “actively sought to arrange the very best quality cricket pitch that [they] may for the match”.
The CDC’s report described Lee as “a extremely competent groundsman of appreciable integrity” however concluded: “The membership has not demonstrated that it’s extra possible than not that, performing fairly, it sought to arrange the very best quality cricket pitch for the match.”
Anthony McGrath, Essex’s coach, stated instantly after the sport: “The pitch wasn’t splendid. I do not assume there was any intent there nevertheless it hasn’t made it a good battle between bat and ball. I do not need to criticise it strongly however anybody who was right here is aware of it wasn’t splendid for first-class cricket.”
James Vince, Hampshire’s captain, stated: “The pitch did not play fairly how we needed it to or anticipated it to nevertheless it was the identical for each groups… you wanted a little bit of luck on a pitch that was seaming round a bit, however in the long run they coped with situations higher than we did.”
Hampshire’s title hopes have been ended final week when Surrey secured 21 factors of their win over Warwickshire however they will nonetheless end second forward of Essex. They now sit 34 factors behind Essex, with the 2 counties due play one another at Chelmsford on September 19.
They’ve additionally fined £5000, and been handed a suspended 20-point penalty for the 2024 Championship season, which is able to solely turn out to be lively in the event that they commit an extra breach of the pitch laws within the Championship earlier than the top of subsequent season.
Hampshire have 14 days wherein to make an attraction and are anticipated to launch a membership assertion shortly.
