Lancashire respond after being charged with a breach of ECB regulations
Lancashire have hit back after the Emirates Old Trafford pitch was described as ‘below average’ last month.
Lancashire will appeal after being charged with a breach of ECB regulations regarding the pitch used in their Rothesay County Championship Second Division match against Middlesex.
The surface at Emirates Old Trafford was marked as ‘below average’ following the match last month, which saw Middlesex win by six wickets.
Lancashire’s first innings score of 201 was the highest in the match, followed by the visitors’ reply of 169.
Middlesex then bowled out the Red Rose for 84 in their second innings before securing victory when reaching 117-4.
A Lancashire statement said: “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 per cent of County Championship matches at Emirates Old Trafford ended in a draw.”
Men’s head coach Steven Croft added: “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 Panel 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.”