Ben GIbson commended for Championship pitches in 2021

Sussex Cricket’s Head Groundsperson, Ben Gibson, has been recognised for his team’s first-class pitches at The 1st Central County Ground this summer.

Ben and his team received a commendation in the ECB Grounds Manager Awards in the three- and four-day category for headquarters grounds, alongside Edgbaston’s Gary Barwell and the Kia Oval’s Lee Fortis.

Matt Merchant of Old Trafford was the winner of the category, with Somerset’s Scott Hawkins and Derbyshire’s Neil Godrich join runners-up.

Despite contending with a leatherjacket infestation at the start of the season and plenty of wet weather, Ben produced wickets that delivered final-day results in four of the seven Championship matches played at Hove, with an average first innings score of over 300 runs.

Everyone at Sussex would like to congratulate Ben and his team and thank them for their incredible hard work.

Full list of winners, runners up and commendations

Headquarters Grounds, three- & four-day: Matt Merchant (Emirates Old Trafford).

Joint Runners-up: Scott Hawkins (Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton), Neil Godrich (Incora County Ground, Derby).

Commendations: Gary Barwell (Edgbaston), Ben Gibson (The 1st Central County Ground, Hove), Lee Fortis (Kia Oval).

Headquarters Grounds, one-day: Adrian Llong (The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence).

Runner-up: Scott Hawkins (Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton).

Commendations: Gary Barwell (Edgbaston), Vic Demain (Emirates Riverside), Andy Ward (Uptonsteel County Ground, Grace Road), Karl McDermott (Lord’s).

Test Match Recognition Award: Simon Lee, The Ageas Bowl, England Men v West Indies, 2020.

Outgrounds: Christian Brain (Cheltenham College)

Commendation: Alex Kegg (Chester Boughton), Ben Harris (York).

ends