GLAMORGAN PART WITH KEITH EXTON
Following 'unfit' pitch
Glamorgan CCC have parted company with head groundsman Keith Exton as part of the club's investigation into an "unfit" pitch at Cardiff's Swalec Stadium.
Exton had been put on ‘gardening leave’ following the Royal London One-Day Cup clash with Hampshire which was abandoned on August 2nd because the wicket was deemed too dangerous to continue. Two Hampshire batsmen were struck on the head by rising deliveries.
Glamorgan were fined £9,000 - of which £5,000 is suspended - and docked two points by the England and Wales Cricket Board for the incident.
Exton's assistant, Robin Saxton, prepared the pitches yesterday for the two Twenty20 international matches featuring both England's women and the absolute thriller for England's men. A short statement from Glamorgan regarding Keith Exton read, "Glamorgan County Cricket Club can confirm Keith Exton has left his role as Head Groundsman with immediate effect."The Club would to thank Keith for his role in establishing The SSE SWALEC as a firm fixture in the international cricket calendar and particularly for his preparation of 2 Ashes Test pitches during his 6 year tenure in Cardiff.
"Chief Executive Hugh Morris said: "On behalf of Glamorgan County Cricket Club I would like to thank Keith for the contribution he has made to the Club and wish him well in his future endeavours.""
A further statement by the club was subsequently released which said they will wait until the end of the season to confirm a new Head Groundsman.
Chief Executive Hugh Morris also confirmed that pitch nine, the surface that led to points deductions in consecutive seasons for Glamorgan, will no longer be used until it has been re-laid. "We have taken steps to acquire an independent assessment of the pitch and we have received specific recommendations for remedial work which we will action," he said. "As a result of the feedback, we will not be playing any competitive cricket on that strip until it has been re-laid and had time to bed-in. In all likelihood, that particular strip will be out of action for at least 2 years but we have a big square and we simply will not take the risk."
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