Derbys pair handed ECB suspension

Derbyshire pair Tom Lungley and Dan Birch have been suspended for two games for breaching the England and Wales Cricket Board's disciplinary code.

The ban relates to level two and three breaches of the code in a recent second XI game against Northamptonshire.

Derbyshire have added an additional fours days to each suspension and have fined the duo £1,000 each.

Derbyshire chief executive Keith Loring said: "We need to send a message that we cannot disobey the rules."

The ban means both men will miss the County Championship match against Gloucestershire, starting on 12 July.

Loring added: "The umpire reported four unrelated incidents to the ECB.

"They communicated with us on Friday that - because they've reached nine points for two offences on that day - they're automatically suspended for two matches each.

"The information we have is that one of the players showed dissent, because he left the field of play not happy after being given out.

"He stayed a little too long at the wicket and hit the ground a couple of times on the way past. He also said something not very nice to another player.

"The other player got involved with a player on their side that seemed to go on, so he got told off because he didn't just leave it."

"Most importantly we need to show the ECB that we support what they are doing, and we do support them.

"We met them (Lungley and Birch) on Saturday and gave them the opportunity to appeal, but they want to take it on the chin, and realise that they have to accept the ban."