An ECB pitch panel has decided not to impose any penalty on Kent after their ten wicket County Championship win over Derbyshire at Canterbury.

Chaired by Tony Pigott, the three man panel took over two and a half hours of interviewing the captains, umpires, ground staff and representatives from both teams before Pigott declared that the Canterbury pitch was “below average”, but Kent wouldn’t face any sanction.

With the game wrapped up inside three days and Kent winning at a canter after forcing their opponents to follow on, Pigott and his panel were to come down to Canterbury on Tuesday to look at the pitch at the Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence.

Having spent a long time looking at the surface which they deemed as being excessively dry, Pigott issued the following statement:

“After reviewing all the information we have received from the umpires Rob Bailey and Martin Bodenham, the captains and head coaches of both sides and the head groundsman here, we have decided there is to be no penalty.”

Following the meeting Jamie Clifford, Kent Cricket CEO commented, “I am pleased with the outcome of the Pitch Panel and thank them for their thoroughness.”

“Naturally we are disappointed to have a pitch rated ‘below average’, and will take steps to ensure that future pitch ratings are higher.”

Kent bowlers Darren Stevens and Adam Riley took nine and seven wickets apiece in the Kent victory.