Brian Rose, director of cricket, has responded to mounting criticism of the Taunton square by promising to even things up.

“We want the pitches to be fair to bat and ball. In recent years, overall, they’ve been heavily loaded in favour of the bat. I’m thinking of the club’s future and developing our own bowlers. I’d like to skim the top off – the surface has become a bit bowed over the years, so this would make it flatter – re-dress it and put on an even cover of grass.”

But what does the oft-decorated groundsman Phil Frost feel about all this? “I’ve worked closely with him, we’ve both met the consultants who’ve taken core samples and there haven’t been any problems.” So, is South Australian Dan Cullen the next Tim May? His services were not re-sought after he left for Australia A duty. “Hard to judge,” says Rose. “He played two Championship games on seamers’ pitches before leaving. Jackie Birkenshaw said he had a nice loop and could go far. But it’s tough being an offie these days.”

The Wisden Cricketer, Rob Steen