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Matthew Wade banned for ‘pitch tampering’

Victoria captain Matthew Wade has been suspended and fined for pitch tampering during his team’s 129-run Sheffield Shield victory over Tasmania in Hobart.

The umpires ruled that Wade tampered with the pitch during his 119-run knock in Victoria’s first innings of the match at Bellerive which ended on Saturday.

The decision, fine and one-match ban are fresh blows for Wade in tough year in which he lost the Test wicketkeeping spot to Brad Haddin ahead of the back-to-back Ashes series.

Cricket Australia says Wade was reported by umpires Ian Lock and Sam Nogajski for conduct that was considered unfair play under Law 42 of the Laws of Cricket or against the spirit in which the game of cricket should be played.

“Both umpires considered the change to the pitch, which resulted in the creation of a long valley within the protected area, had been created by means other than natural wear and tear,” CA said in a statement.

Wade denied the charge and moved to have the matter heard before a full disciplinary hearing led by match referee Daryl Harper who upheld the guilty verdict.

He was penalised 50 per cent of his match fee and two suspension points which will result in him missing the next round of the Sheffield Shield.

Wade and Cricket Victoria have the right to appeal the decision.

Any appeal must be lodged within the next 48 hours.

“We are currently reviewing the events in their entirety before deciding whether to lodge an appeal and will not comment further until that decision has been made,” Cricket Victoria chief executive Tony Dodemaide said.

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