Nottinghamshire's Head Groundsman Steve Birks has received a special commendation from the ECB as part of the Groundsman of the Year awards ceremony.

Birks was commended in the four-day category, which was won by Emirates Old Trafford's Matthew Merchant. Andy Ward from Grace Road took the one-day honours.

Also commended in the four-day category were Stuart Kerrison (Chelmsford) and Mick Hunt (Lord's), while Andy Fogarty (Headingley) and Simon Lee (Taunton) were commended in the one-day category.

John Moden from Fenners, Cambridge is the winner for pitches at MCC Universities with Will Relf at Loughborough the runner-up. John Dodds at Scarborough was awarded the Outgrounds prize.