WE don’t often get a TV ‘slo-mo’ of a groundsman going about his work, but that it is exactly what happened after Kevin Pieterson tweeted that one of the Lord’s groundstaff was dragging his foot along the pitch whilst brushing the surface during the interval on the Second day of the Test Match against India.   Whether it was KP using another opportunity to get noticed or simply a minor abberration that the MCC quickly apologised for – the incident was played down by all the commentators.  After all, the bowlers with their spikes, run as close to the wind as they can without attracting the umpires attention – and this was nothing compared with the famous Afridi pirouette when the Pakistani all-rounder used to spin round on his studs when he thought nobody was looking.

MEANWHILE, have we reached a stage where head groundsmen need a degree in economics in addition to agronomy qualification?  That can only be part of the reason why the pitch prepared for the First Test at Trent Bridge copped so much criticism, and ultimately a fine from the ICC.  Trent Bridge is rightly regarded as a top class Test Match venue, and Nottinghamshire head groundsman Steve Birks regularly prepares excellent pitches for county matches. But, with the host clubs having to bid so much to stage a Test Match these days, the pressure is on the groundman to prepare a pitch, that as far as possible, ensures the game goes the full distance.  Steve Birks is one of the most experienced and highly respected head groundsmen in the game, so you can only conclude that economics took priority on this occasion. Both Notts CCC and Birks himself held their hand up after day one admitting that preparation had not gone to plan.

ONCE again, we witnessed a beautifully presented Open venue. The last time, Hoylake hosted the Championship in 2006, head greenkeeper Craig Gilholm had only just arrived from his previous post at Muirfield – and had little time to influence to set up.  Eight years on, his mark was all over the course and contributed to a thrilling and enthralling Championship. Prominent also were the BIGGA ‘bunker monitors’ accompanying each match, whose vigorous raking should mean that they are unlikely to get a job on the Lords groundstaff!