Possible multiple points deductions for Essex

For both the outsize bat and the racism verdict.

https://www.thecricketer.com/Topics/county-cricket-premium/essex_tenterhooks_multiple_points_deductions.html?t=638495573642824561

Peter - I would have thought a good chance. The illegal bat one has to be in the season in which the offense occurs while Yorkshire got their points deduction for previous sins midway through last season.

Can't argue with the case for deductions but from the neutral cricket fan's point of view it would be a shame if it turned the CC into a one horse race all over by July.

Some - including the head batmaker at Gray Nicolls - suggest that the laws of physics tell you there is nothing to be gained from using an oversized bat.

Thanks for the link, VauxhallRey. I was asking the other day on the ''Kent away'' thread if anyone knew what the position was here - at least, as regards the outsize bat.

Nic Maddinson used an outsize bat for Durham in 2022 and they were deducted 10 points as a consequence. Without knowing the background and circumstances, it's hard not to expect a similar penalty to apply to Essex and, assuming that happens, they only have themselves to blame. Even without any intent, the use of such an unauthorised bat was clearly contrary to the rules and surely reckless.

I'm far less keen on points being deducted from the current Essex side for things apparently said by those at their Club more than ten years ago and sometimes going back about thirty. That's not to condone such words and actions but imo individual bans and/or financial penalties would appear more fair and appropriate. I appreciate the apparent precedent of the Rafiq and Yorks case may lead to a points penalty for Essex but that's not the road I would choose to go down.

Throw the book at the wide boys and their pints of shandy. Win at all costs so would do us a favour if the mockneys got points deducted.

[quote="guildfordbat"

Nic Maddinson used an outsize bat for Durham in 2022 and they were deducted 10 points as a consequence. Without knowing the background and circumstances, it's hard not to expect a similar penalty to apply to Essex and, assuming that happens, they only have themselves to blame. Even without any intent, the use of such an unauthorised bat was clearly contrary to the rules and surely reckless.

I'm far less keen on points being deducted from the current Essex side for things apparently said by those at their Club more than ten years ago and sometimes going back about thirty. That's not to condone such words and actions but imo individual bans and/or financial penalties would appear more fair and appropriate. I appreciate the apparent precedent of the Rafiq and Yorks case may lead to a points penalty for Essex but that's not the road I would choose to go down.

[/quote]

Maybe not reckless, but without doubt very careless.  I would assume that every dressing room has one of the bat gauges.

I agree that the Essex allegations are much less recent than what Yorkshire had points deducted for, so would be surprised if the points deduction were as severe. But calling a Muslim "bomber" and repeatedly offering bananas to a Jamaican-born player as recently as 2013 is arguably worse than what happened at Headingley.

VauxhallRey wrote:[quote="guildfordbat"

Nic Maddinson used an outsize bat for Durham in 2022 and they were deducted 10 points as a consequence. Without knowing the background and circumstances, it's hard not to expect a similar penalty to apply to Essex and, assuming that happens, they only have themselves to blame. Even without any intent, the use of such an unauthorised bat was clearly contrary to the rules and surely reckless.

I'm far less keen on points being deducted from the current Essex side for things apparently said by those at their Club more than ten years ago and sometimes going back about thirty. That's not to condone such words and actions but imo individual bans and/or financial penalties would appear more fair and appropriate. I appreciate the apparent precedent of the Rafiq and Yorks case may lead to a points penalty for Essex but that's not the road I would choose to go down.

Maybe not reckless, but without doubt very careless.  I would assume that every dressing room has one of the bat gauges.

I agree that the Essex allegations are much less recent than what Yorkshire had points deducted for, so would be surprised if the points deduction were as severe. But calling a Muslim "bomber" and repeatedly offering bananas to a Jamaican-born player as recently as 2013 is arguably worse than what happened at Headingley.[/quote]

Hi again VauxhallRey,

Without knowing the ins and outs of what went on and was said at either Headingley or Chelmsford, I tend to agree with your last sentence. I would just feel uncomfortable effectively penalising current players for what went on largely or entirely before their time. I suspect many Surrey supporters would feel the same if something from 10, 20 or 30 years ago at the Oval were to surface now and we be faced with a points deduction for this season threatening Championship ambitions. More appropriate imo to try and go after the individuals from that time.

Anyway and whatever the exact circumstances, it's hard to see how Essex can avoid a points deduction for one of their current players using an outsize bat in light of the Maddinson & Durham precedent. That seems right to me. Whilst I wouldn't want us to win the Championship because of it, Essex shouldn't be allowed to breach the game's regulations without penalty.

I completely agree. Just not sure how the ECB would justify no point deduction at all given what they did to Yorks. Unfortunately, they have set a precedent.

I was hoping someone might be interested in the force = mass x acceleration conversation. It would be great if there was an actual physics teacher on here.