Hampshire are to appeal against their recent punishment from the England and Wales Cricket Board.

The county was handed a £4,000 fine and a suspended points deduction - equal to a win in any of the three competitions - following five reprimands for their players in the last 12 months.

The penalty will kick in if another offence takes place in the next 12 months.

The decision was made by the ECB's Cricket Discipline Commission, which met when Owais Shah became the club's fifth offender after being caught swearing on a stump microphone after hitting a six in the recent televised win against Middlesex.    

The four other misdemeanours include two by former Hampshire all-rounder Matt Coles last year. 

A statement read: "Hampshire Cricket Limited (“The Club”) has noted concerns on the part of some members and supporters about the penalty imposed on the Club by the Cricket Discipline Commission (“CDC”) at the Disciplinary Hearing held at Lords on 17th June 2015.

"The Club is in the process of appealing the decision and the penalty imposed therefor.

"Under the circumstances it would be inappropriate for the Club to comment further until this appeal process has been determined."