BIRMINGHAM, May 23: Warwickshire's chief executive has taken the unusual step of criticising his own groundsman just days before the club's Edgbaston home stages the second Test against Sri Lanka.

The match will not be played on the Birmingham venue's regular Test pitch, with groundsman Steve Rouse saying he had to switch because of damage caused by a firework display in November.

But Colin Povey, who recently replaced former Warwickshire and England batsman Dennis Amiss as the county's chief executive, accused Rouse of making “loaded comments” and insisted there was nothing sinister in the decision to change pitches.Rouse, a former Warwickshire pace bowler, though was not changing his mind ahead of Thursday's scheduled start.

“Around half-a-dozen wickets had to be reseeded after the fireworks display and they still have bare patches on them.

“So we've had to move about 20 feet down the square towards the Rea Bank (now the Eric Hollies) stand,” he also told Tuesday's Birmingham Post.

Pitches have been a source of worry at Edgbaston, both financially and in cricket terms, since an infamous Test between England and West Indies in 1995 lasted just 172 overs.

However, last year the Edgbaston pitch was highly commended for its part in helping produce a thrilling Ashes Test which saw England beat Australia by just two runs in a tense climax.

The new pitch has not previously been used for Test cricket but did see action in a One-day International two years ago.

“Steve Rouse has a view on whether to use the site for commercial activities other than cricket,” Povey told the Post. “His loaded comments reflect that view.

“My own view is that the fireworks display was not a major reason. It’s certainly not the be all and end all.

“There was a cold and frosty start to the year while the lack of sun has resulted in less (grass) growth than we would have liked.

“The Test is earlier in the year than normal for us, and we've simply tried to pick the best wicket available. It is not really that significant where on the square it is.”

The three-match series between England and Sri Lanka is level after he first Test at Lord's ended in a draw.—AFP