'ECB Have Been Absolutely Stupid': Essex Claps Back at ECB for 'Fat Bat' Controversy

Essex have described English cricket chiefs as “absolutely stupid” for docking the county 12 points because one of their players used a bat ruled too wide.

The club’s slim hopes of winning the County Championship First Division have all but evaporated after a bat, used by Feroze Khushi in April’s match against Nottinghamshire, was found to have exceeded the permitted dimensions.

Khushi made 21 in his second innings when the bat was ruled to have breached the regulations when tested by the match umpires.

The decision was made by the Cricket Discipline Commission, which is independent of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

However, that did not prevent Essex president and former England captain Keith Fletcher from hitting out at the ECB.

“Feroze does not believe he did anything wrong and the whole side has been penalised, not just the one player,” Fletcher told The Times.

“As a batsman I know that a few millimetres either way is not going to have any effect on performance. Umpires test bats at random and I think the ECB have been absolutely stupid.”

In their official statement, Essex expressed regret over the outcome but stressed their commitment to upholding the integrity of the game and adhering to regulations in the future. The club also raised concerns about the inconsistencies in the regulatory process, particularly regarding the bat gauges used during the investigation, and will be writing to the CDC, Cricket Regulator, and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to seek further clarification.

“Essex CCC regrets the outcome and, although disappointed with the appeal decision and subsequent sanctions, accepts the charges of the CDC panel,” the club said. “The club remains fully committed to upholding the integrity of the game and ensuring strict compliance with all relevant regulations moving forward.”

Essex are now 54 points behind runaway leaders and reigning champions Surrey.

The CDC’s decision to deduct 12 points from the 20 Essex had earned from that win has effectively ended their hopes of overtaking Surrey in the title race.

Durham were deducted 10 points in 2022 when a bat was found to exceed the standard dimensions, while Derbyshire lost two points in the One-Day Cup in the same season for a similar infraction of the rules.