Bill Gordon of the The Oval has been awarded the groundsman of the year honour for both the four-day and one-day category with Mick Hunt of Lord�..s awarded the runner-up in the four-day and Andy Fogarty from Headingley the runner-up in the one-day.

Commendations went to Philip Frost (Taunton), Mike Grantham (Canterbury), Peter Marron (Old Trafford) and Andy Fogarty (Headingley Carnegie) in the four-day pitch category, while Len Smith (Sophia Gardens), Peter Marron (Old Trafford), Mick Hunt (Lord�..s), Steve Birks (Trent Bridge) and Kenny Nisbet (The Grange) were commended in the one-day category.

John Moden at Fenners is the winner for the UCCEs pitches with Craig Thompson at Durham Racecourse as the runner-up. Micky Stewart at Scarborough was awarded the outgrounds prize with Matt Pullen at Whitgift School earning the runner-up wward. Andy Peirson at Beckenham received a commendation in the outgrounds category.

Alan Fordham, head of operations for the ECB, said: �.�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.

�..Special congratulations go to Bill Gordon at The Oval who continues to lead the way in pitch preparation in both formats of the game.�.�