ESSEX captain James Foster has received an unprecedented and immediate two-match ban from first-team fixtures after a spate of disciplinary offences at his club.

A cricket discipline commission panel, convened to hear England and Wales Cricket Board charges against Essex, also ruled the club must pay a fine of �5,000 after five or more of their players transgressed over the past 12 months.

The ECB’s policy of fixed-penalty offences regularly results in points being accrued by players – typically for dissent towards officials or abuse of fixtures and fittings.

But this is the first time the disciplinary panel has been required.

A statement read: “We are disappointed that Essex had taken no prompt action following umpires’ reports on misconduct of players.”

Essex last week fined their captain for dissent during last month’s Friends Life t20 match against Surrey at The Oval.

But yesterday’s panel statement noted: “No management policy to safeguard against potential future incidents is in place.

“We feel the appropriate penalty is a fine of �5000.”

With regard to Foster, it added: “The regulations make it absolutely clear that the captain is responsible for discipline on the field and ensuring no repetition occurs.

“We conclude that the correct penalty for the captain is an immediate two-match suspension.

Foster will miss this evening’s Friends Life t20 match against South Group leaders Hampshire Royals at the Rose Bowl. Essex included Scott Styris, who is still troubled by a calf injury and whose fitness will be assessed shortly before the match.

Essex (from): Mark Pettini, Adam Wheater, Owais Shah, Ravi Bopara, Matt Walker, Ryan ten Doeschate, Scott Styris, Tim Phillips, Tim Southee, Chris Wright, David Masters and Tom Craddock.