Leicestershire have had eight points restored from their 27-point deduction for breaching pitch regulations, but the club remains convinced it should never have lost any points at all.
The Cricket Discipline Panel (CDP) originally imposed the penalty after Leicestershire’s groundsman, Callum Lewin, argued that a Bollywood film shoot had damaged the pitch ahead of August’s match against Glamorgan. The film, believed to be a biopic of former India captain Sourav Ganguly, was shot at the ground between August 20 and August 23.
The Match That Started It
Leicestershire won the match by 42 runs, earning 19 points. The CDP found them guilty of breaching pitch regulations and handed down an immediate eight-point deduction, plus a further eight-point deduction suspended until the end of the 2027 season and a £5,000 fine.
The club appealed last Thursday. A further hearing took place last Wednesday, and the sanction has now been amended. Leicestershire have eight points restored, leaving them with 19 points lost in total.
“We continue to believe it should not have been upheld, and that we ought not to have suffered the points deduction we have.”
Why They Lost Points
Lewin argued that the film crew had prevented the pitch from being covered for eight hours during bright sunshine and heatwave temperatures.
The CDP upheld the charge. Its decision, as amended, applies only to the sanction, not to the underlying finding that Leicestershire breached the regulations.
What the Club Says Now
Emma White, Leicestershire’s chief executive, said the club’s position on the charge itself has not changed. She remains convinced the points deduction should never have happened.
“We continue to believe it should not have been upheld, and that we ought not to have suffered the points deduction we have,” she said. “We therefore still intend to appeal, focusing upon the process and resultant evidential position upon which the Panel was caused to decide the case.”
She named the legal team handling the appeal: Craig Harris of Periculum Sport, along with Oliver Laurence of Periculum Sport, will continue to act for the club.
The Appeal Process
White asked supporters to treat everyone involved with courtesy and respect, both at the ground and online. The club will not comment further while the appeal is ongoing.
The amended decision adjusts Leicestershire’s points tally in Division One to 119, putting them 17 behind third-from-bottom Essex. A wholly successful appeal would lift Leicestershire out of the relegation zone and above Essex.
The Relegation Picture
Leicestershire were relegated from Division One of the County Championship last week following an innings defeat by champions Warwickshire. The points deduction was part of the calculation that sent them down.
The suspension of the further eight-point deduction means the full penalty could still land in 2027 if the appeal fails.
What Happens Next
The appeal will focus on the process and evidence that led the panel to uphold the charge. Leicestershire believe the outcome rested on a flawed evidential position.
The club has not said when the appeal will be heard. Until it is resolved, the amended sanction stands.
Our View
Leicestershire’s position is understandable. The club remains convinced the points deduction should never have happened, even though the amended decision restores some of the points they won in the match itself.
For now, Leicestershire sit 17 points behind Essex, and the club’s fate rests on the outcome of the process White described.
The club’s supporters have been asked to hold their fire online and at the ground. The appeal will test whether Leicestershire can overturn a decision that has already cost them 19 points.
Key facts box:
- Original deduction: 27 points
- Amended deduction: 19 points
- Points restored: 8 points
- Match result: Won by 42 runs against Glamorgan
- Further deduction suspended: Until end of 2027 season
- Fine: £5,000
- Current points: 119 in Division One
- Relegation zone: Above Essex, 17 points behind them
Source material: “Leicestershire's points deduction for poor pitch reduced,” Sky Sports.
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