Hampshire Cricket Club Statement

Hampshire Cricket acknowledges the decision of the independent Cricket Discipline Panel (CDP) regarding the Rothesay County Championship match against Sussex at Utilita Bowl on 23–25 May 2025.

Hampshire was referred to the CDP for preparing a sub standard pitch for this game and, following a hearing on 2 September, the CDP confirmed an immediate 8-point deduction in the Rothesay County Championship and a financial penalty under ECB Pitch Regulations.  The CDP considered that, whilst there was no intent on Hampshire’s part to gain any unfair advantage from the pitch, the Club had not taken all reasonable steps to produce a pitch of an appropriate standard, an allegation which the Club denied.

When a pitch is referred to the CDP, the Regulations start from the premise that the charged party is guilty unless they can prove their innocence.  This is a very onerous burden which is at odds with principles of natural justice and Hampshire has made representations to ECB in previous years contesting the appropriateness of this premise and the process which is followed to prosecute such cases.  We will continue to lobby for changes to be made to these Regulations so that they more fairly balance the requirements to produce good wickets with appropriate process for dealing with cases where wickets are deemed to have fallen short of these standards.