Sussex's Giddins defence

Alan Caffyn, the Sussex chairman, has defended the county's treatment of Ed Giddins, claiming the drug-taking incident was not the only reason behind the decision to sack him.

In a letter to members, Caffyn responded to criticism that Sussex did not provide help and rehabilitation for the fast bowler.

Sussex took the decision to sack Giddins two days after he was found guilty of taking cocaine and banned for 19 months by the Test and County Cricket Board, and Caffyn said: "There is no way that a bowler of Ed's ability would not have been re-engaged unless there was good reason. The drug incident was just one factor and not the sole reason. I am not, however, prepared to go into details.

"Had Ed asked for help it would have been readily forthcoming. However, he continues to insist that he has never taken drugs of any sort before or since this incident, and that it only happened on this occasion because his drink was spiked. By his own statement Ed has not got a problem and it is, therefore, not possible to provide any help."