Australia’s Wade fails to overturn pitch tampering ban

(Reuters) – Victoria captain Matthew Wade, the first Australian cricketer to be banned for pitch tampering, lost his appeal yesterday and will serve a one-game suspension in the domestic Sheffield Shield.

The 25-year-old wicketkeeper, who won the last of his 12 test caps for Australia against India in March, had been found guilty of tampering during his 119-run knock against Tasmania last week.

Umpires Ian Lock and Sam Nogajski reported Wade, who was dropped for both Ashes series against England this year, for ‘conduct that was considered unfair play under Law 42 of the Laws of Cricket or against the spirit in which the game of cricket should be played’.