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