Will ECB punish Essex and Hampshire over declarations in County Championship?

Essex and Hampshire could face punishment from the ECB after both teams declared in their latest County Championship match, in a potential attempt to deny the other team bonus points.

In their Division One match that ended on August 25, Essex and Hampshire drew with both teams having declared at 438-8 and 424-8 respectively. Put in to bat first, Essex had reached 438-8 in 109.4 overs. According to the bonus points system, if they had hit two sixes by the end of the 110th over, they would have got another point (for crossing 450). Instead, they declared, denying Hampshire a third bonus point (which is awarded upon the fall of the ninth wicket in the first 110 overs of an innings).

In response, Hampshire batted out most of the final day before declaring on 424-8 in the 106th over after losing three wickets for no runs across four balls. The declaration meant that Essex were denied the possibility of a third bowling bonus point.

Also read: Josh Hull: Why have England picked a bowler with a County Championship average of 84?

According to Law 15 on Declaration and Forfeiture in the ECB playing conditions, an Extraordinary Declaration of Forfeiture would be deemed as "bringing the game into a disrepute, penalties for which may include deduction of points from the offending team".

An 'Extraordinary Declaration' is one that is done with the purpose of not winning or saving a match, but to deny the bowling team an opportunity to acquire further First Innings points in that innings.

The final day began with Hampshire on 40-1, still 398 runs in the deficit. Centuries from Toby Albert and Tom Prest helped them first avoid the follow-on, after which they went after bonus points.

Essex are third on the Division One points table, while Hampshire are fourth.

Wisden.com reached out to Cricket Regulator, who have refused to comment on the incident at this stage.

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