Leicestershire are on the point of relegation from Division One of many County Championship after being deducted 27 factors for breaching pitch rules of their victory over Glamorgan in August.
The factors penalty imposed by the impartial Cricket Self-discipline Panel (CDP) halfway via their penultimate match of the season meant the Foxes have dropped to the underside of the desk.
In his interview with the Cricket Regulator earlier than the tribunal listening to, Leicestershire’s head groundsman Callum Lewin mentioned there have been “circumstances main as much as the sport that had been simply out of my management”.
They included an “unscheduled Bollywood filming occasion” going down at Uptonsteel Grace Street 4 days earlier than the beginning of the match, whereas Lewin additionally referenced the exceptionally scorching climate within the build-up as one other doable purpose for the pitch being dry.
The pitch was rated as “poor” within the match referee’s report.
Leicestershire’s punishment consists of the lack of all 19 factors earned within the win over Glamorgan, an additional eight-point penalty and a £5,000 effective. An extra eight-point deduction has been suspended for a 12 months.
They will enchantment the sanction inside 10 working days.
In a statement,, external the membership mentioned it “notes the Cricket Self-discipline Panel’s resolution” and was “reviewing its place and contemplating all accessible choices”.
If the Foxes fail to beat Hampshire of their ongoing dwelling sport, their return to Division Two can be confirmed.
However they face a tricky job to take action after Hampshire closed day two on 255-3 of their second innings – a lead of 225.
Simply above the relegation locations, the survival possibilities of each Glamorgan and Essex have been elevated by Leicestershire’s lack of factors.
The Foxes’ battle to keep away from the drop of their first season again in Division One after a 22-year exile had been boosted by the 42-run win over Glamorgan three weeks earlier.
Earlier than that, they’d received only one match on their top-flight return after profitable promotion as Division Two title winners final season.
