Nigel Gray Named Runner-Up in One-Day Category at Groundsman Awards

In his last year as The Ageas Bowl’s Head Groundsman, Hampshire’s Nigel Gray was named the runner-up in the category for one-day pitches at the ECB Groundsman of the Year Awards in Derby.

Gray, who took home the four-day category in 2014, was runner-up to Somerset's Simon Lee for his one-day pitches, with Nottinghamshire’s Steve Birks and Andy Mackay of Sussex also commended.

Yorkshire continued their impressive year all-round as Andy Fogarty’s pitches at Headingley earned him the main prize for four-day cricket.

Derbyshire’s Neil Godrich and Kent’s Simon Williamson were commended in the four-day category.

Every pitch is rated at the end of the match by each of the umpires with these ratings used as the basis for making the awards.

Before the awards dinner a minute’s silence was held in memory of Harry Brind and Peter Marron, former winners with Surrey and Lancashire respectively who passed away in 2015.

Roll of honour:

Four-day. Winner: Andy Fogarty (Headingley, Yorkshire). Runner-up: Simon Lee (Taunton, Somerset). Commended: Neil Godrich (The 3aaa County Ground, Derbyshire); Simon Williamson (The Spitfire Ground St Lawrence, Kent).

One-day. Winner: Simon Lee (Taunton, Somerset). Runner-up: Nigel Gray (The Ageas Bowl, Hampshire). Commended: Steve Birks (Trent Bridge, Nottinghamshire), Andy Mackay (The BrightonandHoveJobs.com County Ground, Sussex), Andy Fogarty (Headingley, Yorkshire).

Outgrounds. Winner: Bill Clutterbuck (Guildford, Surrey). Runner-up: John Dodds (Scarborough, Yorkshire). Commended: Stuart Kerrison (Colchester, Essex) and David Summersell (Uxbridge, Middlesex).

MCC Universities. Winner: Paul Derrick (Durham Racecourse, Durham MCCU). Runner-up: John Moden (Fenners, Cambridge MCCU).