Essex County Cricket Club's head groundsman Stuart Kerrison and his staff proved a big hit when the 18 first-class counties recently held a forum to discuss pitches.

Chelmsford was one of five grounds which, according to umpires, had the best pitches last summer.

Those at Southampton, Canterbury, Taunton and Leicester were the others. Ironically none of the six Test Match venues appeared on the list.

"Naturally we are delighted with the verdict of the umpires," said Peter Edwards, the Essex secretary/general manager.

"We pride ourselves in having good pitches as we regard them as vital in the development of young players.

"It has long been our view that we have one of the best groundsmen in the country in Stuart and the umpires throughout the country obviously think so too.

"We believe a good pitch should have a bit of pace during the first two and a half days and then help the spinners as the match progresses."

"This is what we endeavour to produce and that will continue to be the aim of Stuart and his team."

Praise for Kerrison's work hardly comes as a surprise. Last year, he received awards from the England and Wales Cricket Board for the high standard of pitches prepared at both Chelmsford and Ilford.

The forum held at Lords revealed that counties underpreparing pitches in the future will face an eight-point penalty for the first defence and a 12-point deduction for a further infringement within 12 months.

There will also be a change in the bonus points system. These will now be earned during the first 130 overs instead of 120, with five batting points available instead of four - at totals of 200, 250, 300, 350 and 400.

Bowling points will now be awarded at the fall of the third, sixth and ninth wicket.

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