The Oval named best pitch in 2003

The ECB have named The Oval as the best pitch for 2003. Bill Gordon, Surrey's new groundsman, won the ECB groundsman of the year award for both the four-day and one-day pitch categories.

The prize was judged by the pitches advisory group, chaired by Mike Denness, and The Oval came up trumps for the second successive year after sharing the accolade with Kent in 2002. The presentations will be made to Gordon at the groundsmen's meeting in spring next year. The awards carry a total prize-money of £2,600.

"I am delighted that the hard work and dedication of Bill Gordon and his team has been recognised this year," Paul Sheldon, Surrey's chief executive, said. "Traditionally, Surrey have enjoyed success in the groundsman of the year award, and it reflects the continued high standards we have for pitches at the club."

Alan Fordham, ECB's cricket operations manager said: "As well as a thrilling and memorable npower Test match against South Africa, the AMP Oval played host to many entertaining one-day and four-day matches in 2003 thanks, in part, to superb pitches."

Mike Hunt, head groundsman at Lord's, was runner-up in the four-day category and Philip Frost at Somerset was also recognised, finishing runner-up in the one-day category. Other awards are made to Bob McInroy at Cheltenham cricket ground who finished first in the outfield category, with Andy Atkinson at Shenley Park runner-up. In the UCCE category, Durham's Craig Thompson came out on top with Chris Cay at Leeds/Bradford finishing second.