Mick has pitches at the ready
Scarborough Groundsman Mick Stewart says North Marine Road will be ready for the 122nd annual cricket festival.
Stewart and his staff have had to contend with some very wet weather in recent weeks but he is confident everything will be fine when Yorkshire start with their Pro40 match against Kent on Monday.
Mick, of Kilham near Driffield, said: "The problem has been getting the covers off to allow the pitches to dry but over the last few days there have been more opportunitites to do that and the wickets shoulsd be good.
"Whenever county cricket is played here I want to produce the very best wickets possible and pride myself on the standards.
"You want good, hard and fast wickets that will ensure plenty of exciting cricket and we are all looking forward to the festival."
Mick has received some top recognition for his work on the pitches at North Marine Road.
And he is particularly looking forward to the festival and to see formed England captain Michael Vaughan ba on his pitches.
He added: "I remember my first game here as groundsman Michael was playing for the Tykes and he smashed a century against Esses in 2001.
"Since then we have not had much chance to see him in action here because of his duties with England but he is an exceptional player and I can't wait to see him out there next week.
"There is a lot of talent heading here for the festival and we just hope that we have some decent weather."
Yorkshire's place in the first division of the LV County Championship is in the balance as they are struggling at the wriong end of the table.
Victories over Kent and Susses in Scarborough would go a long way to ensuring that Darren Gough's side stay up.
Gough is playing his last season before retiring from competitive cricket.
Mick said: "Darren is a terrific character and he too usually brings in the crowds because he is so well known.
"It is going to be one of the last chances to see Darren play here and he has been great for the club."
Source:- Filey & Hunmanby Mercury newspaper.