Essex docked 12 points over use of 'wide bat'

[Robbie]

Essex have been docked 12 points after one of their batsman had been found to be using a wider bat than allowed in their recent win over Nottinghamshire.

Essex docked 12 points over use of oversized bat in County Championship - BBC Sport

WWW.BBC.CO.UK

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Essex are docked 12 points in the County Championship after Feroze Khushi used an...

 

[Robbie]

Would have thought that equipment that was to be used for the match, such as the bats, balls, size of the pitch & size of the playing area, would have been checked out by the umpires before play commenced to ensure the dimensions were legal.

Thankfully, this player with the wider bat didn't make a lot of difference in the second innings, but it could easily have done.

Personally, I believe the match should have been declared a draw, & Notts awarded 8 more points for the draw.

[Chris]

Surely, they undergo thorough checks? I would assume the cricketer knew, so surely it would be a form of cheating? I am not sure how 12 points is a suitable punishment. Cricket is a weird sport, where cheaters don't seem to be held accountable like other sports do. I thought it was considered 'the gentleman's game', with a lot of sportsmanship? It seems lost these days.

As someone with zero interest in cricket, I hear and read so many unsporting things.

[Robbie]

@Chris

I agree, Players should be checking their own equipment to ensure compliance.

There is a gauge that the bat has to pass through to ensure it's not over permitted width. 

Just a very small increase in thickness, just a millimetre or two, can make all the difference to a professional.

To be honest, the match should have been declared at least a draw with a further 8 points awarded to Notts, or even a win for Notts, with 16 points awarded or the match replayed.

[liampie]

it should have seen them penalised or to forfeit the game, if proven he knowingly cheated.