Nottinghamshire Head Groundsman Steve Birks enjoyed double success at the ECB Groundsman of the Year Awards winning the one-day category and sharing the runner-up spot in the four day category.

England eased past Sri Lanka on Birks’ One Day International Wicket whilst Notts Outlaws were unbeaten at home in the group stage of the Friends Life t20.

Birks also received consistent marks from umpires for his LV= County Championship, Clydesdale Bank 40 and Test Match surfaces. He paid tribute to his team of staff and his forme deputy Gary Barwell who has since been installed as Head Groundsman at Edgbaston.

Andy Fogarty from Headingley Carnegie won the four-day category with David Measor of Emirates Durham ICG sharing the runner-up prize with Birks.

Commendations went to Keith Exton (SWALEC Stadium), Mick Hunt (Lord’s) and Sean Williams (Bristol) in the four-day pitch category, while Simon Lee (Taunton), Andy Ward (Grace Road) and Stuart Kerrison (Chelmsford) were commended in the one-day category.

Will Relf at Loughborough is the winner for pitches at MCC Universities with John Moden at Fenners runner-up. Ross Spry at Cheltenham was awarded the out grounds prize with Terry Glover and Matt Merchant runner-up in respect of their work at Liverpool.