Vaughan was the only one of those charged who appeared to defend himself at the hearings. While Ballance had admitted to using the term "P***" among other racist phrases, Bresnan, Gale, Pyrah and Blain have denied all charges against them. The four were found guilty of using racist slurs that ranged from terms such as "you lot" to "P****" on multiple occasions.

As well as Ballance, Hoggard made a qualified admission to similar charges, denying that he used the language with any racist intent. Those admissions led to the ECB asking for reduced fines in both cases. "We understand there has been a significant impact on Mr Ballance's mental health, and that, in April 2023, Mr Ballance announced his retirement from professional cricket," Jane Mulcahy KC, legal counsel for the ECB, told the panel. "So the ECB therefore suggests there be a reprimand, Mr Ballance be fined £8,000, reduced from £12,500, to take in effect his admissions. And also an eight-week suspension, reduced from 10 weeks, if Mr Ballance ever returns to ECB-regulated cricket as a player."

The CDC panel will now deliberate over the recommendations before returning final sanctions on the players which could take several more weeks yet.

Yorkshire were also found guilty by the CDC panel last month, having admitted to four charges laid against them. Their sanctions will be discussed at another hearing on 27 June.