Sussex bowler Mitchell Claydon suspended for nine matches for altering the condition of the ball

Sussex seamer Mitchell Claydon has been suspended for nine by a Cricket Discipline Commission (CDC) Panel for altering the condition of the ball during the Bob Willis Trophy match. England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) investigated the incident that took place during the match between Sussex and Middlesex on August 23. Claydon admitted to a charge relating to altering the condition of the ball during the said game.

However, the panel took into account the six-match suspension imposed by the Sussex county earlier which the cricketer has already served. Accordingly, Mitchell Claydon will miss his team’s next three matches across any format. Rather the pace bowler missed the T20 Blast quarterfinal against Lancashire earlier in the day which Sussex lost and got crashed out of the tournament.

According to the board’s press release, Mitchell Claydon was charged with a breach ECB Directives 3.3 and 3.7 which state:

3.3 No Participant may conduct themself in a manner or do any act or omission at any time which is improper or which may be prejudicial to the interests of cricket or which may bring the ECB, the game of cricket or any cricketer or group of cricketers into disrepute.

3.7 Contravention of the Bob Willis Trophy Playing Conditions 5 or 41.2 … shall be regarded as (i) unfair and improper conduct; and (ii) conduct prejudicial to the interests of cricket and likely to bring the game into disrepute.

Sussex County has also been charged

Meanwhile, the CDC panel has also charged Mitchell Claydon’s team Sussex County in this incident despite the management taking an immediate action against the player. They have been charged with a breach of ECB Directives of 3.3 and 3.7 and the panel will hear this case in due course.

Meanwhile, according to the suspension served, Claydon will miss a couple more matches for his team before making a comeback. He played four matches in Bob Willis Trophy this season picking 11 wickets at an average of 26.72 after sending down 102 overs. The bowler will be keen on not repeating the mistakes after he returns to the field post the suspension.