Distraught Gough tells axed Yorks to fight on

Yorkshire's expulsion from this year's Twenty20 Cup for fielding an ineligible player is unlikely to be the end of the matter.

Club chairman Colin Graves said he was "totally and utterly disappointed" at the England and Wales Cricket Board's decision to throw the county out of the tournament for playing 17-year-old Azeem Rafiq against Nottinghamshire, who will now face Durham for a place in the semi-finals.

If Yorkshire appeal against the decision their case would be heard at Taunton on Monday.

With a shot at finals day on the table and a route to the lucrative Champions League also on offer, the stakes are higher than ever.

Yorkshire skipper Darren Gough is in little doubt that an appeal will be made. "I'm distraught to be honest," he said. "I've spoken to a few players and we're all very disappointed. I'd put money on Yorkshire appealing."

Durham have also failed to rule out seeking compensation after having their quarter-final against Yorkshire at Chester-le-Street called off when the mix-up came to light on Monday.

In making their decision, the ECB disciplinary commission decided that Yorkshire had sufficient time to clarify Rafiq's eligibility before he played. Even though the spinner had captained England at both Under-15 and Under-16 level, he does not hold a British passport and must be classed as an overseas player.

In last night's rescheduled quarter-final at Edgbaston, Darren Stevens propelled holders Kent into the finals day with a superb 69 to set up a 42-run victory over Warwickshire.