Northamptonshire warned about 'poor' pitch

Northamptonshire have been warned about the pitch they prepared for the National League match against Gloucestershire at Northampton on August 8. After considering the pitch reports of the umpires and interviewing the captains and coaches of both teams, as well as Northamptonshire's head groundsman, an ECB pitch panel deemed that the pitch was "poor", as it showed excessive turn.

Northants lost that match by 91 runs after being bowled out for 109 chasing Gloucestershire's 200. Ian Fisher picked up 3 for 18 in nine overs for Gloucestershire with his slow left-armers, his best figures in one-day cricket, and the batsmen on both sides struggled against the slower bowlers.

As a result of the pitch panel's decision, if Northamptonshire produce another pitch rated as "poor" within the next 12 months, they will be penalised points in whatever competition is concerned.