Key was unhappy about the state of the pitch at the Riverside Ground

Kent captain Robert Key has been fined �1,250 and reprimanded for his comments about a pitch panel which convened at Durham's Riverside Ground in August.

Key had labelled the panel "a bit of a muppet show" after Durham's 43-run win.

An England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) disciplinary commission ruled Key's actions to be "a serious breach of the directives by a senior player".

Key said: "I acknowledge the comments I made were inappropriate and I offer an unreserved apology to all concerned."

He had raged at the state of the pitch after 38 wickets fell in the space of two days, claiming Durham should have had points deducted.