Chris Adams says he feels "vindicated" despite being hit with a £500 fine by the ECB's disciplinary panel

The Sussex skipper was found not guilty of the original charge of "physical and verbal abuse" against Essex all-rounder Danny Law in a Benson & Hedges Cup tie at Chelmsford last month. But Adams admitted to pushing Law, was fined £500 and ordered to pay a further £250 towards the cost of yesterday's five-hour hearing at Lord's, even though pushing is not a disciplinary offence in ECB regulations.

Adams, who was represented by Brighton-based solicitor David Laing, said: "My credibility and personality has been called into question over the past two weeks, especially by certain sections of the media. But I feel reasonably happy that my decision to contest the main charge against me has been vindicated."

The three-man panel comprised former England bowler Alan Moss, Glamorgan committee member Ricky Needham and David Graveney, the chief executive of the Professional Cricketers' Association and chairman of England's selectors.

They heard statements from Law and Essex team mates Paul Prichard and Stephen Peters and found the evidence "compelling" that Adams had pushed Law after he had stood his ground when he was caught off a delivery from James Kirtley which he thought should have been called a no-ball.

Sussex chairman Don Trangmar, Chief Executive Dave Gilbert and other witnesses including former Chairman Ken Hopkins and club librarian Rob Boddie, gave evidence in support of Adams. Gilbert said the media coverage of the story in the national press had been "nothing short of disgraceful."

He said: "For the last three weeks Chris has been a tortured soul, he has been pilloried by the media and his whole character savaged in a totally unfair way. He's been like a wounded animal whom people have been determined to kick while he's down and I think that is very sad."

Adams admitted he had felt under "immense pressure" in the last few weeks and was grateful for the backing he had received from the county who will pay his legal fees. He added: "The support of the chairman, chief executive and the people who came to the hearing to speak on my behalf, has been tremendous and I am indebted to them for that."