An Appeal Panel met today at Lord's to consider the appeal by Middlesex CCC against the deduction of 8 points in respect of the decision that the pitch used for the PPP healthcare County Championship match at Southgate on 12th-15th July against Glamorgan had been rated "poor" by the Pitch Panel.

The Appeal Panel comprised Chairman, John Pickup (Chairman of the Recreational Forum), Geoff Cope and Simon Ecclestone.

After much deliberation the unanimous decision of the Appeal Panel was that the original Pitch Panel had been correct in assessing the pitch as 'poor' but that the extenuating circumstances were sufficiently strong not to implement the 8 point penalty. No financial penalty in respect of costs was applied.

The Appeal Panel findings are below.

Appeal Panel - Middlesex v Glamorgan, Southgate (12-15 July)

1. The Appeal Panel are of the opinion that:-

   1. The pitch started damp.
   2. This resulted in excessive lateral movement.
   3. Applying the assessment criteria the PLOs in our opinion were correct in assessing the pitch 'as poor'.

2. In considering the question of whether Middlesex should have an 8 point penalty imposed for a 'poor pitch', the Appeal Panel has taken into account the following extenuating circumstances:-

   1. The adverse weather conditions encountered during the two immediately preceding matches at Southgate (Middlesex v Somerset - NatWest Trophy and Middlesex v Worcestershire in the PPP healthcare County Championship) which hampered the groundsman's preparation, and;
   2. Hampered the covering of the wicket for the Middlesex v Glamorgan game.

In view of the extenuating circumstances the Panel will allow the Appeal against the penalty.

But,

1. The Panel expressed concern about the need to ensure adequate manpower to support the groundsman and drew attention to the fact that it is the responsibility of the County not the venue to ensure this, although accepting that in this instance this was not the prime cause of the problem, rather it was the bad weather.

2. This decision does not signify any lack of support for the PLOs' efforts to enforce the agreed pitches policy.

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