Taunton pitch 'below average' but no points penalty handed out to Somerset

The ECB cricket liaison officer at the game, Dean Cosker, handed the pitch a "below average" due to the fact it had "demonstrated excessive turn". The rating which was subsequently corroborated by a second liaison officer and a pitch consultant

^{ECB cricket liaison officer Dean Cosker speaks to Lancashire director of cricket Paul Allott at Taunton}

The Taunton pitch which came under scrutinty during Somerset's two-day match with Lancashire in the County Championship has been rated "below average" but the club have avoided a points deduction.

Last week's dramatic tie featured a total of just 538 runs across four innings, sparking intense criticism of the nature of the playing surface, which was highly conducive to spin bowling.

The ECB cricket liaison officer at the game, Dean Cosker, handed the pitch a "below average" mark due to the fact it had "demonstrated excessive turn". The rating was subsequently corroborated by a second liaison officer and a pitch consultant.

Given Somerset were already on probation for another "below average" rating within 12 months - the clash with Middlesex last year - the county were under threat of being docked points.

However, the Cricket Discipline Commission has ruled that there is insufficient evidence to enforce such a penalty, though they did advise Somerset that they are "treading a very fine line" and warned with regards to the condition of pitches going forward.

^{Cosker in conversation with a member of the Somerset grounstaff}

The adjudicating panel were presented with independent reports from the second liaison officer Steve Davis and the pitch consultant, in addition to Cosker's initial review, while input was sought by the groundstaff at Taunton - who said rain "cost a day of preparation time" - as well as the umpires, both coaches and captains.

"All parties agreed that the pitch was under prepared. There were various explanations for this and while the reasons given by Somerset may be regarded as satisfactory, the fact is that they cannot be considered as any more than that," a CDC statement read.

"There were also varying opinions as to how much influence Somerset had in 'ensuring' it was under prepared and how much circumstances had played a part in the pitch’s nature and performance.

"Some of the factors which might indicate intent in the way the pitch was prepared were absent. This is significant. These would include over-aggressive scarification of the ends to accentuate wear, or use of a sand ameliorant dressing to enhance friction / grip. There was no evidence that this had occurred.

"This lack of evidence means that CDC cannot, on balance, direct ECB to charge Somerset CCC with a breach of regulation. ECB would simply not be able to make the case that action, or inaction by Somerset CCC constituted a breach of the regulation requiring them to seek to prepare the best quality pitch."

In the statement, the CDC made a point of noting "Somerset's practice of preparing pitches to assist their spinners. While accepting this is part of the principle of home advantage, the disciplinary body said the county "must take care that it is in the right degree.

"Somerset CCC’s pitch preparation will continue to be monitored very closely," the statement concluded. "The club should expect any proven breach of ECB’s pitch regulations in future to result in a points deduction."

Allott and Hurry differ in opinion of Taunton playing surface