Mitch Claydon, the Sussex quick, has been suspended for allegedly applying hand sanitiser on the ball during Sussex’s Bob Willis Trophy encounter against Middlesex played in Radlett between August 22 and 25.

Claydon returned figures of 3-23 in the first innings of the Middlesex encounter, which is being investigated by the ECB, and went wicketless in the second as Sussex lost the match by five wickets.

The county confirmed Claydon’s suspension while announcing their 14-strong squad to play Surrey in their upcoming fixture at the Kia Oval on Sunday. “Mitch Claydon is suspended pending the outcome of an ECB allegation of placing hand sanitiser on the ball in our match against Middlesex,” the statement read. “There will be no further comment at this stage.”

The 37-year-old Australian quick, who has taken 11 wickets in four Bob Willis Trophy matches so far will have to wait for the investigation to be completed before getting a next chance to add to his tally.

As per the ICC guidelines,  the use of saliva to shine the ball has been banned in order to reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission. The use of sweat is permitted.