Wade to appeal against fine, Shield game ban following 'pitch tampering' charge

Australian cricketer Matthew Wade will reportedly appeal against a charge of pitch tampering which has resulted in him being fined and banned for one Sheffield Shield match.

Wade was reported for conduct during his side Victoria's recent 129-run victory over Tasmania at Bellerive, 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.

According to Sport24, Cricket Victoria has launched the appeal over the charge, which, according to Cricket Australia (CA), was laid as the match umpires considered the change to the pitch, which resulted in the creation of a long valley within the protected area, had been created by means other than natural wear and tear.

The report mentioned that Wade is the captain of the Victoria team.

Although Wade denied the charge, however, match referee Daryl Harper upheld the guilty verdict on Sunday, fining the wicketkeeper-batsman 50 per cent of his match free and docking him two suspension points.

If the appeal is unsuccessful, Wade will miss Victoria's next Shield game against Western Australia beginning at the WACA Ground on Friday, the report added.