Every pitch is rated at the end of the match by each of the umpires with these ratings used as the basis for the awards.
Dave Measor told Durhamccc.co.uk, “The rest of my team went to the awards at Edgbaston so I didn’t know we were runners up until they called me afterwards! I had been keeping a running total of our scores over the season and I knew that we had done better than we had done before but I certainly didn’t know that would place us in the top three four day pitches in the country.
“The pitch is improving year on year and our hard work is definitely paying off. It’s really great having a team that know what they’re doing working with you. It means I don’t have to worry about the day to day operation and can focus on planning for the match
“It’s been a strange season weather wise and that gave us a challenge when it came to preparing the pitches, the forecasts were so changeable that in some cases plans just had to go out the window and that is where our experience came in handy and enabled us to still produce good quality pitches.”
Durham CCC Operations Manager Richard Dowson, added, “Dave and his team show real commitment and dedication to producing the best possible pitches all year round so it’s fantastic that they have been recognized at this year’s awards. We’re incredibly proud of the standard of cricket that has been played here at Emirates Durham ICG and their contribution is a significant factor.”