Sussex have avoided punishment after the pitch for their County Championship match against Warwickshire at Hove was rated as "poor" by the umpires.

The ECB called in Cricket Liason Officer Tony Pigott to investigate the pitch after batsmen struggled with uneven bounce and "excessive seam movement" throughout the game.

The match finished after lunch on the third day with 39 wickets falling in just over seven sessions with less than 800 runs being scored.

Warwickshire were heavily critical of the pitch but the ECB have decided not to deduct points from Sussex after Pigott interviewed the captains and coaches of both teams as well as Sussex's head groundsman Andy Mackay.

ECB pitch consultant Chris Wood also visited Hove to inspect the wicket and the chairman of the ECB's Cricket Discipline Commission found that although the pitch was "poor" there was no evidence to show Sussex had not attempted to produce the best wicket possible.

The ECB can only deduct points if it is proved there was intention to produce a poor wicket.

A statement from Sussex said: "It was concluded that the prevailing overhead conditions during the first two days of the match had unduly affected the pitch and that there was no case to answer: the club having prepared the pitch with the best of intentions.

"As a club we were extremely disappointed with the situation. We have invested over £250,000 in the last few years towards the improvement of our playing facilities at Hove.

"We have a commitment for continual improvement under the excellent guidance of our head groundsman who we fully support. We will learn what we can from this issue, invest in any equipment necessary and do our utmost as always to prepare the best playing surface possible."