Sussex Cricket County’s fast bowler, Mitch Claydon was suspended by his county for allegedly applying hand sanitizer on the ball.

37-year-old right-arm medium pacer, who is Australia-born, has been accused of applying hand sanitizer in a match against Middlesex last month in which he took three wickets. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has opened an investigation into the case.

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As per strict health protocols set by the ICC and various cricket boards around the world, the players are banned from using saliva to the ball to shine it, only sweat is allowed. Also, no artificial substances are to be used as a substitute.

“Mitch Claydon is suspended pending the outcome of an ECB allegation of placing hand sanitizer on the ball in our match against Middlesex. There will be no further comment at this stage,” Sussex said in a statement on their website.

The suspension means the veteran pacer will not feature in Sussex’s 14-member squad for their next Bob Willis Trophy match against Surrey.

(PTI inputs)