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Somerset Hit With Points Penalty For Bad Pitch After Durham Match Ends In 2 Days

Akshita Patel

Somerset under fire over low-quality pitch for County Championship [Source: @SomersetCCC/X.com]Somerset under fire over low-quality pitch for County Championship [Source: @SomersetCCC/X.com]

Somerset County Cricket Club has been hit with a 4-point deduction in the County Championship after their pitch at Taunton came under fire during the match against Durham in July. The game saw an extraordinary 35 wickets fall in just five sessions, ending in less than two days.

Needless to say, the short duration of the match immediately raised questions about the quality of the surface. Once Durham’s protest intensified, the officials had to act and hold Somerset accountable.

Somerset Faces Heat For Average Taunton Pitch

According to the Somerset County Gazette, Durham’s honorary president, Lord Ian Botham, went as far as to accuse Somerset of deliberately preparing a pitch that reduced the game to a farce.

Match referee Simon Hink later rated the Taunton pitch as “below average”, while umpires Ian Blackwell and Martin Saggers reported excessive spin from the very first day. Hence, Somerset was penalised with a 4-point deduction for failure to provide a competitive pitch.

Under ECB Pitch Regulations, pitches are expected to offer a fair contest between bat and ball and allow all styles of play to flourish. Following an investigation by the Cricket Regulator, which included evidence from both clubs, the Cricket Discipline Panel (CDP) handed Somerset an eight-point sanction.

4 of those points are suspended until the end of the 2027 season, meaning Somerset immediately lose four points from their Championship tally. Despite this, they remain third in Division One with 175 points.

The panel noted several factors in its decision. Somerset won by 5 wickets, and the pitch’s spin-friendly nature were seen as aggravating, but the tribunal also acknowledged the club had not deliberately produced a poor wicket. In fact, it pointed out that Somerset bowled first after winning the toss, meaning they risked batting last in the toughest conditions.

How Somerset Vs Durham Panned Out?

Jack Leach powered Somerset to a rapid win over Durham in the County Championship at Taunton.

The left-arm spinner claimed 6/63 in the second innings, with Archie Vaughan taking 4/85 as Durham folded for 190. Chasing 86, Somerset slipped to 89/5 as Callum Parkinson struck four times, but Tom Banton’s unbeaten 33 saw them home.

Emilio Gay’s 42 was Durham’s top score, yet their collapse ensured Somerset wrapped up a five-wicket win inside two days to stay in contention.