ECB criticised for Matt Coles' two-match suspension by Kent chairman Graham Johnson

Kent chairman Graham Johnson has criticised the England and Wales Cricket Board decision which led to a two-match suspension for Matt Coles.

The Kent all-rounder threw the ball near an opposition batsman during his side's Specsavers County Championship clash with Glamorgan, his third breach of the code of conduct in two years

That triggered an automatic two-game ban that cannot be appealed, but Johnson has defended his player, whose previous two breaches came while playing for Hampshire in 2014 and criticised the decision of the ECB's Cricket Discipline Commission.

He told Kent's official website: "The outcome in this set of circumstances, I believe, is disproportionate. It does not reflect the seriousness of the recent incident and does nothing to help a cricketer who has made such big strides since returning to Kent.

"The resultant outcome is therefore deeply frustrating.

"Since his return to Kent, at the start of last season, Matt has demonstrated that he has learnt from things in the past. He has applied himself to his role on the field and represented Kent Cricket, to good effect, in off-field activities."

Coles tweeted: "Look at the end day the @ECB--cricket have there say on what happens!! I've been good for 2 years near enough and @kentcricket support that!!"