Leics and Worcs penalised

Chris Thompson was still registered with Surrey when he played Second XI games for Leicestershire and Worcestershire

The ECB cricket discipline commission today announced that two counties have been penalised for fielding an ineligible player in second XI matches in the 2009 season.

Chris Thompson played for Leicestershire and Worcestershire in Second XI Championship and Second XI Trophy matches while still registered with Surrey.

Leicestershire and Worcestershire have been deducted half the points they gained in the matches in which he played while ineligible and each fined £1,000, £500 of which is suspended for 12 months.

The commission emphasised the importance of counties thoroughly checking the eligibility status of players before selecting them, especially in the light of previous similar cases.

It also noted the responsibility of counties who release players to inform them fully of their continuing registration status and restrictions on their ability to play elsewhere.

Thompson was later loaned to Leicestershire and played legitimately for them.