Angry Key lays into 'muppet' pitch panel after Kent farce

Kent skipper Robert Key today labelled the England and Wales Cricket Board pitch panel convened at Durham's Riverside ground "a bit of a muppet show" in a strongly-worded attack following his side's defeat.

Key's team followed their first innings of 78 by being dismissed for 133 this morning to lose by 43 runs in just over two days - and the former England batsman felt it was "an absolute disgrace" no points were deducted.

"The integrity of the rest of the championship is at stake," he said. "I'm not saying Durham deliberately prepared a bad pitch, but if there's no penalty the game is going to be a shambles.

"The pitch panel asked all the usual questions but apparently they think there was nothing wrong with the pitch. It's ridiculous and a bit of a muppet show and that's not sour grapes." County Championship, Div One - Riverside: Durham 146 & 108 bt Kent 78 & 133 by 43 runs. Rose Bowl: Yorks 236 & 107, Hants 236 & 46-0. Old Trafford: Lancs 206 & 151-6, Sussex 316. Taunton: Somerset 106 & 248-6, Notts 230. Div Two - Colwyn Bay: Glamorgan 262, Middx 209-8. Cheltenham: Gloucs 315 & 89-1, Leics 228. New Road: Worcs 450-8d & 107-2 Derbys 343. Edgbaston: Northants 407-8d v Warwicks 21-1.