New head groundsman for Glamorgan

The weather challenged Glamorgan's ground staff in 2008

Glamorgan have appointed a new head groundsman to replace Len Smith who retired as part of an "amicable agreement" in September.

Smith had been the second of two senior staff to leave that month - the county's chief executive Mike Fatkin also left in September.

The county's Swalec stadium will stage the opening Ashes Test in July 2009.

New head groundsman Keith Exton will work with the International Cricket Commission's chief pitch consultant.

Exton's previous post was as head groundsman at Oakham School in Rutland.

He said coming to Cardiff in its first year as a Test Match ground would be the "pinnacle of his career".

Glamorgan said he would work alongside Chief ICC Pitch Consultant Andy Atkinson who had recently overseen the installation of a £600,000 drainage system and the re-turfing of the outfield.

The county faced a challenging season in 2008 when heavy rain hit play at the Swalec stadium and conditions limited the one-day international between England and South Africa to just 15 minutes on 3 September.

In the same month, Glamorgan announced Chief Executive Mike Fatkin had resigned and after that that an "amicable agreement" had been reached with Len Smith, who had retired.

After leaving, Mike Fatkin said there had been "differences" of opinions about the direction the club should be taking.

The new head groundsman is due to start at the stadium on 1 February 2009.