Adrian Llong named One-Day Grounds Manager of the Year

Wednesday 1st December 2021

Adrian Llong named One-Day Grounds Manager of the Year

Kent’s Head of Grounds, Adrian Llong, has won the One-Day award for the pitches at The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence in the same season the Club were crowned Vitality Blast champions.

Llong picked up his second ECB grounds award, after securing the Outground Award three years ago whilst managing The County Ground, Beckenham.

Another Member of Kent’s Ground Staff, Riley Nicholson, accepted the award on Llong’s behalf.

The Club’s Director of Cricket, Paul Downton, and Men’s Head Coach, Matt Walker, paid tribute to Llong and his dedicated Ground Staff before the awards ceremony took place at the Uptonsteel County Ground in Leicester.

Steve Martin & Josh Marden remove practice nets at The Spitfire Ground

Lancashire’s Matt Merchant won the ECB Three & Four-Day Grounds Manager of the Year Award, whilst Cheltenham College’s Christian Brain won the Best Outground award.

On winning One-Day Grounds Manager of the Year, Llong said: “It’s really pleasing to win this award and the recognition for the brilliant team of ground staff here.

Riley Nicholson pulls on the cover in Kent Women’s floodlit T20 at The Spitfire Ground

“Everyone across the county circuit works incredibly hard so to be given this honour is something special for us.

“It makes it that little bit more enjoyable because the team won the Vitality Blast and played some outstanding cricket along the way.

“We have our own challenges at Canterbury with a 12-foot slope, but I’m lucky to work with some exceptionally good staff who always do a tremendous job.”

ECB Pitch and Grounds Advisor, Andy MacKay, said: “The award winners fully deserve this recognition for the consistently outstanding pitches they have produced during the Summer.

“This has been a challenging summer for all county ground staff beginning with the uncertainty of the pandemic heading into the season before a busy summer schedule.

“Every venue has met those challenges head on and delivered pitches and facilities that have enabled the players to showcase the best of the game to the fans who returned to attend cricket this summer.”

Simon Lee was also honoured with a Recognition Award for his First Test match pitch at The Ageas Bowl for England Men’s Test against West Indies in 2020.

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