Archive · 24 Jul 2025
Botham Slams Somerset Pitch; Kerr Defends Surface at County Match
Imagine a cricket game where the field was in really bad shape.
Former player Ian Botham was upset with Somerset for making a pitch that caused lots of wickets to fall very quickly.
The game between Somerset and Durham finished in just two days, with lots of spins.
Botham thought the pitch was terrible and made the game unfair.
However, Somerset's coach, Jason Kerr, thought the pitch was fine.
Botham mentioned that conditions like these might make it hard to judge players for the England team.
Ian Botham criticized Somerset for preparing a poor pitch for the County Championship match against Durham.
35 wickets fell in five sessions during the match.
Somerset won the match by five wickets within two days.
Botham stated he understands why Ben Stokes and Rob Key overlook county performances due to conditions.
Somerset coach Jason Kerr defended the pitch, calling it an 'incredible surface'.
- Who
- Ian Botham, Jason Kerr, Somerset, Durham
- What
- Controversy over the quality of the pitch at a County Championship cricket match.
- When
- July 2025
- Where
- Taunton, England
- Why
- Because of the poor pitch conditions at the match
Ian Botham/Durham
Somerset
Pitch Quality
Ian Botham/Durham
Criticized the pitch as appalling and reducing the game to a farce. Believes it makes it difficult to assess players.
Somerset
Defended the pitch, stating it was an incredible surface.
- Match
- Somerset vs. Durham
- Venue
- Cooper Associates Ground
- Wickets Fell
- 35 in 5 sessions
- Somerset's score
- 250 in reply
- Result
- Somerset won by 5 wickets