Glamorgan have been docked two points for preparing a "poor" pitch at the venue that will host the first Ashes Test on 8 July.

The county, who plan to appeal, have been penalised by the England and Wales Cricket Board for the substandard surface at the Swalec Stadium in their Friends Provident Trophy clash with Essex on 12 May. Glamorgan will lose the points at the start of next season's Trophy.

An ECB pitch panel announced that the wicket "demonstrated excessive turn and should therefore be rated 'poor'." Pakistan legspinner Danish Kaneria took four for 16 in 10 overs.

The verdict puts extra pressure on Glamorgan, who won the rights to stage the first Ashes Test with a £3million bid to the ECB, which was backed by the Welsh Assembly.

And the news of turning surfaces is likely to ensure England include off-spinner Graeme Swann and left-arm slow bowler Monty Panesar in their squad for the opener against the Aussies. Australia great Shane Warne has already labelled the decision to take the First Test of the series away from Lord's "a disgrace".

Sussex, meanwhile, booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Trophy as skipper Michael Yardy put in a fine all-round performance in his side's 60-run victory over Yorkshire at Hove.

Yardy top scored with 68 in his side's first innings against their Group C rivals, underpinning a competitive total of 269 for seven.

Middlesex kept their hopes of reaching the last eight alive with a four-wicket win over Warwickshire at Lord's, edging home with three balls to spare.

Chasing a total of 276 for seven, Neil Dexter (69no), Owais Shah (63) and Australia's Phillip Hughes (57) in his last game for the county, all made key contributions.

Friends Provident Trophy - Group A Leicester: Leics v Notts, Group C The Brit Oval: Surrey v Sussex, Group D Swansea: Glams v Northants.