The ECB have increased the number of points teams can be docked for 'below average' County Championship pitches, with sides now faced with scoring zero points in matches where surfaces are deemed sub-par.
The new rule for this season means tougher sanctions for teams in breach of pitch regulations, with the previous rule seeing sides docked eight points for a 'below average' surface. Now, the home side will have all of their points deducted from the fixture, meaning they could be docked 24 points if they win and also secure all available bonus points.
The ECB judge pitches based on four criteria: unevenness, seam movement, carry and/or bounce, and turn. For a pitch to be judged as 'below average' it must fulfil one of the following: unevenness of bounce on the first or second playing days, regular seam movement on the first and second days (or further playing days) of the match, lack of carry and/or bounce on the first or second playing days, or excessive turn from the protected area on the first or second playing days.
Under the new sanctions, which were confirmed by the ECB today (April 6), home sides whose pitch is deemed 'below average' will score zero points from the game, including deductions of all bonus points. Should the Cricket Discipline Commission find no breach of the pitch regulations on referral, then all points from the fixture would be reinstated.
'It does seem very random who gets done and why'
In 2025, Hampshire were docked eight points for a 'below average' pitch in their match at Utilita Bowl against Sussex. They narrowly avoided relegation at the end of the season, finishing one point above relegated side Durham.
Speaking ahead of Hampshire's opening fixture in the 2026 season, captain Ben Brown said: "I felt a huge sense of injustice last year. It looked like after our season finished, it looked like it would relegate us. As players, you have very little control of that. I thought our circumstances were very, very harsh. I've played a lot of county cricket on a lot of different wickets, and it really wasn't enough for them to do that.
"I don't think the system works particularly well, and I think it's tough, from a player's perspective, to lose match points in the season. It does seem very random who gets done and why."
Somerset were also penalised for producing a 'below average' surface last year, while their penalty saw them docked four points, with the other four suspended until the end of the 2027 season.
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