Response to the Cricket Regulator's decision on the Emirates Old Trafford pitch
Response to the Cricket Regulator's decision on the Emirates Old Trafford pitch
The Club is appealing for what we believe to be an unfair decision by the Cricket Regulator to mark the pitch used in the Men's County Championship match against Middlesex as "below average".
This season, the Club’s diligent and hardworking ground staff have taken steps in communication with the coaching team to ensure a greater balance between bat and ball in longer-formats of the game.
These efforts followed feedback from members, players and cricket fans of all clubs who wanted to see more entertaining cricket. The Club noted in the past five years, over 90% of County Championship matches at Emirates Old Trafford ended in a draw.
Emirates Old Trafford has hosted entertaining County Championship matches this season, delivering big scores, players reaching centuries, and teams taking 20 wickets.
Lancashire Cricket Men’s Head Coach, Steven Croft, commented:
“This is a disappointing decision, and the Club will be appealing.
“We all want to see red ball cricket thrive in this country, but that can only happen if we have pitches that deliver greater balance between bat and ball. This is something that we haven’t managed in recent years
“We are asking the Cricket Discipline Committee for an opportunity to explain our rationale and for their understanding.
“We recognised it was not right that almost all County Championship games at Emirates Old Trafford were ending in draws.
“I commend our ground staff for taking innovative approaches this season to try and bring more balance and we hope that the Cricket Regulator will look to support clubs who want to see more positive cricket and more spectators at County Championship matches.
“The preparation of this wicket was very similar to our previous four Championship games and we ourselves were surprised at the amount of movement.”
;