Fighting Nature

The annual award from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) recognizes outstanding pitch preparation and maintenance across a number of categories. It will be presented at a dinner next February attended by groundsmen from around the country.

John Moden started work at Fenners in 1981 aged just 16. His first job had been as a gardener at Corpus Christi College but he soon found that he was more interested in looking after the grass in First Court than planting, so the Head Gardener recommended he might be more suited to a groundsman’s role.

The biggest challenge he has is battling with the elements, trying to keep the pitch dry through summer showers. “All groundsmen spend their time fighting nature to produce the best playing surface possible. On the day of a match we have to stay alert the whole time, ready to pull on the covers should it rain or carry out repairs.”

“This award is excellent. It is very nice to get to the end of a season and know that you have been recognised for all the hard work you have put in.”

Alan Fordham, Head of Operations (First Class Cricket) at the ECB, commented: “Umpires’ marks have indicated a good overall standard of pitches in four-day cricket and particularly in one-day cricket in 2006. We are delighted to announce these awards which recognise head groundsmen who have prepared the best pitches this season.”

Fenners is the base for one of six University Centres of Cricketing Excellence (UCCE). The six centres - at Cambridge, Cardiff/Glamorgan, Durham, Leeds/Bradford, Loughborough and Oxford - each receive annual financial support from the MCC to fund facilities, coaching and the latest innovations in video analysis, sports science and medical support.

The initiative is aimed at male cricketers with the potential to play, or who are already playing, first-class cricket, and female cricketers of senior, county, regional or England standard. It intends to provide the best of both worlds to talented cricketers who wish to continue with an academic career - an excellent cricketing education giving the chance to fulfil ambitions, while career opportunities outside of the game remain unaffected.

First Class Cricket has been played at Fenner's for well over a century. “The nice thing about this job is that I have got to see and meet all the great players in the game,” John said, “from Geoff Boycott and Ian Botham to Viv Richards , Mike Atherton and David Gower. Seeing Sachin Tendulkar hit 120 at Fenners this season was something special.”

Fenners has been chosen as the first destination of the international visiting side in April for the past three years, with Sri Lanka playing there last April.