Kent skipper Sam Northeast has expressed his disappointment after his side’s County Championship opener at Worcestershire was completely washed out.

Heavy rainfall in the build-up to the game saw the water table rise to such an extent that no play was possible across the four days at Worcestershire’s New Road ground. This was despite at least three of the days being bathed in sunshine and more-than-playable conditions, with the game eventually abandoned before lunch on the fourth and final day without a ball bowled.

Speaking after the abandonment, skipper Northeast admitted his unhappiness with the situation.

“It’s extremely frustrating after four weeks of preparation in pre-season and we are unable to play and the sun’s out for three of the four days as well”, he said.

“The boys are raring to go, so it’s pretty disappointing”, he added.

“We’ve hoped for the best obviously but looking at the ground when we arrived, we knew it was going to be tough to get on.”

Kent Cricket CEO Jamie Clifford also admitted to understanding the frustrations of both the players, and also the Kent fans who had travelled up to Worcester.

There are reports that some Kent fans have struggled to get refunds for their match tickets; something that Clifford has urged them to chase up.

“The players and staff share the frustration of supporters at the abandonment at Worcestershire”, he said.

“We will be collating feedback from supporters and this will be passed to ECB.

“Sadly, we have no control of ticket policy at other grounds and would urge supporters to contact Worcestershire County Cricket Club directly.”

With Kent’s next County Championship fixture not starting until Sunday 24 April away at Leicestershire, a number of the Kent first team may take part in the club’s Second XI games before then.

 

Photograph courtesy of Sarah Ansell Photography