Durham Cricket ground staff have been recognised at the ECB’s annual ground staff awards held at Staverton Park Hotel and Golf complex in Daventry.
The team, led by head groundsman Vic Demain, picked up a commendation for the quality of multi-day pitches during the 2024 season.
Vic was in attendance on Wednesday alongside deputy head groundsman Mark Patterson and ground staff Ben Hall, Barry Boustead and Jon Bland.
Head Groundsman, Vic Demain said: “To be given this commendation by the ECB, as a result of the Match Managers pitch marks, is testament to the efforts of the groundstaff team, following the club’s decision to restructure the square three years ago.
“We are now seeing surfaces that batters can score heavily on and where bowlers need to have something special in order to take wickets “.
ECB Pitch and Grounds Advisor, Andy Mackay, said: “The standard of pitches in white and red-ball cricket continues to be very high overall and the competition for the top spots is exceedingly tough. The award winners deserve this recognition for the consistently outstanding pitches they have produced during the summer.
“The dedication, sacrifice and commitment of all of the grounds managers is beyond reproach and it is great that we can get everyone together to recognise the contribution they make to the game and to celebrate their successes.
“Yet again, every venue’s grounds teams have given their all to deliver pitches and facilities that allow the players to put on a thrilling spectacle for all of the fans who attended cricket this summer.”