SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 28: Nic Maddinson of the Sixers walks from the field after being dismissed by Michael Neser of the Strikers during the Big Bash League match between the Sydney Sixers and the Adelaide Strikers at Sydney Cricket Ground on December 28, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)
Australia's Nic Maddinson is at the centre of a 10-point deduction for his county side Durham due to the use of an oversized bat. The deduction was handed down on a dramatic final day of the County Championship.
The incident occurred earlier this month during Durham's Division Two match against Derbyshire when Maddinson was early into his innings. Maddinson had scored just one run when umpire Hassan Adnan stopped play to measure his bat.
Adnan's suspicions were confirmed to be correct, as Maddinson's bat did not pass through a gauge during the on-field test. The Australian was forced to change bats before being dismissed for just eight.
Though the Cricket Discipline Commission stated that there was no intent by Maddinson to gain an unfair advantage, they concluded the issue needed to be dealt with on a "strict liability basis".
The Commission felt that it is up to players to ensure that their equipment complies with the laws of the game. As a result, a 10-point deduction was applied to Durham on Thursday.
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The sanction did little to change the fortunes of Durham however, likely to Maddinson's great relief. The county club began the last round of matches knowing they could not secure promotion, their season ending with a 462-run defeat against Nottinghamshire on Thursday.
Maddinson's season also ended in disappointment, scoring just 40 and 13 in the final match. While not ideal for the Victorian, he will have the chance to play himself into form when the Sheffield Shield starts next week.
Victoria's first game is against South Australia starting October 6, while Maddinson will also play for the Melbourne Renegades again in this summer's upcoming BBL season.