ECB Pitch Panel rates Canterbury pitch ‘poor’

An ECB Pitch Panel comprising John Jameson and Tony Pigott (Pitch Liaison Officers) was convened to consider the pitch used for the LV= County Championshipmatch at Canterbury commencing on 31 August 2011 between Kent and Essex.

After interviewing the Umpires, the Captain and Coach of both teams and the Kent Head Groundsman, the Pitch Panel determined that the pitch had demonstrated excessive unevenness of bounce and should therefore be rated “poor”.As a consequence and according to regulations, Kent are penalised eight points which will be deducted from their aggregate of 2011 LV= County Championship points.

Commenting on the decision, Chief Executive Officer, Jamie Clifford said; “The hectic August schedule at Canterbury and bad weather last week have made pitch preparation difficult, but we accept the findings of the Pitch Panel, and do not plan to appeal.“