Borough's Bumpy Ground KOs Top Woman Cricketer

11.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 27th Sep 2004

One of Britain's leading up and coming women cricketers has suffered potentially serious injury as a result of playing on "terrifyingly uneven" council pitch in a recent match between Riverside CC and her club, Redoubtales (at Broom Road Recreation Ground). Her father has written to the Council's Chief Executive and to Vincent Cable MP demanding an investigation into the condition of the field.

The 17 year old young woman plays for Surrey County Cricket Club and she was expected to go to Loughborough College and progress to coaching for the English team before the injury occurred. She now faces an operation and serious disruption to her sporting and academic career, and probably her long-term prospects.

Vincent Cable said: "What is so bad is that the Council has been repeatedly warned by the Club that the pitch is dangerous, but no action has been taken. I would have thought that there would be a regular programme of ground maintenance, including use of a heavy roller, to keep sports pitches playable and safe."