Leicestershire CC penalized 27 points over poor pitch conditions

Leicestershire County Cricket Club has been handed a 27-point penalty and a £5,000 fine following an investigation into a poor pitch used during a match against Glamorgan. The Cricket Discipline Panel ruled that the surface at Grace Road suffered from uneven bounce, localized collapses, and ball indentations. As a result of the sanction, the club has forfeited the 19 points earned from their victory in that fixture and received an additional eight-point deduction. A further eight-point penalty has been suspended for 12 months.

Leicestershire argued that an unscheduled Bollywood film shoot for a biopic about former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly contributed to the poor pitch conditions, as the filming prevented grounds staff from performing necessary maintenance and covering the surface. However, the regulator dismissed this as a primary cause, citing unusually hot weather and an unreasonable approach to pitch preparation as contributing factors. The penalty leaves Leicestershire at the bottom of Division One, placing the club in serious danger of relegation.

The club is currently considering an appeal of the decision.