Middlesex slumped to a 231-run loss at Taunton

Middlesex skipper Adam Voges admits he was disappointed with the state of the pitch at Somerset in their 231-defeat in the County Championship Division One.

After the 2016 County Champions were beaten, it was revealed the pitch at Taunton had been marked as ‘below average’.

However, with Somerset having not had a pitch marked as such in the past 12 months, they will not face a prospect of a points deduction.

That means Middlesex are still waiting to see whether Hampshire lose at Warwickshire, which would be the only result to keep the Lord’s-based club in the top flight.

But Australian Voges vented his frustration at what he felt was a poor pitch as Middlesex slumped to a fourth loss of the season.

“We came here knowing we would face a pitch that helped Somerset’s spinners because every team in the world prepares wickets to aid their strengths,” he said.

“But there needs to be line which teams can’t cross. Whether Somerset have crossed that line for this match is for the match referee to decide. I have certainly let him know my thoughts.

“What we didn’t expect was rake marks at both ends that were encroaching into danger areas on what was already a worn pitch. That was a surprise.

“I’ll admit we have been comfortably outplayed over the four days. The ECB directive is that a pitch cannot be marked poor simply for excessive spin.

“We will now have a thorough review of our season. There is no point in feeling sorry for ourselves. We haven’t played well enough and that why we are where we are.”