TEST MATCH GROUNDSMAN DRAWS CROWD

By Martin Deans

The February meeting of the Lincolnshire Cricket Board's Cricket Groundsmen Association was An Evening with Keith Exton, held at the Lincoln Lindum Club.
The CGA had a great turnout with 30 groundsmen from all corners of Lincolnshire attending to hear “one of their own” speak. And with many new faces coming along to hear A Year or Two in the Life of a Test Match Groundsman, it was a magnificent advert for the CGAs and what they try to do for all involved in this wonderful occupation.
Keith spoke openly and truthfully of his experiences at the Swalec Stadium, the challenges he has faced with the media, a former Essex and England captain who now enjoys the comfort of a certain broadcaster's commentary box. And, indeed, the industry, the Welsh weather and the 'wanting' of constant weather forecasts from India.
It is certainly a challenging and envious position Keith enjoys; many of the challenges presented to him were issues on the square done during the hand-over between the old Sophia Gardens and the present stadium.
A battle he faces, in tandem with most club groundsmen up and down the country, is an extremely tight budget and not yet being able to carry out all the work on the square he wishes to do.
Keith spoke openly of his personal hurt and disappointment at the reporting of a wicket he prepared due to adverse spin and alleged under-preparation - lessons that stood him in good stead for producing a wicket which staged one of the most exciting Ashes Test matches seen for a long time. This was the thrilling First Test that went to the very last ball of the last day. As a Test match groundsman you cannot ask for more than that.
It was a fascinating evening, offering a glimpse behind the scenes at a new stadium - and two hours was not long enough to hear it all.
The next meeting of the CGA takes place on the 16th of March, when the guest speaker will be Derbyshire’s head groundsman, Neil Goddrich, ending another season of meetings which have been well attended and visited by some great speakers.

Pictured are Chairman Howard Swain (left), Keith Exton, and Martin Deans.