Glamorgan have named Keith Exton as their new head groundsman from February 1. He succeeds long-serving groundsman Len Smith who left in September. Exton has been head groundsman at Oakham School for 16 years.

Exton has first-class experience as he has produced pitches for the last eight years for the four-day County Championship games and one-day League games staged by Leicestershire at the Oakham School ground, as well as many pitches for their 2nd XI games, as well as other ECB Festival games staged there.

He will work alongside chief ICC Pitch Consultant Andy Atkinson who has recently overseen the installation of the new £600,000 drainage system and the re-turfing of the outfield at Sophia Gardens.

"Keith is the perfect man for the job," Atkinson said. "Looking after a Test ground is a great responsibility and I am thrilled to be working alongside a man of such experience."

Commenting on his new role, Exton said; "Coming to Cardiff in its first year as a Test ground will be the absolute pinnacle of my career. I am delighted to join the team at Glamorgan and cannot wait to get started."