A third consecutive day went by without any play in Kent’s County Championship opener against Worcestershire at New Road.

Further rain after play was called off yesterday left the already saturated ground further dampened, and despite sunnier conditions this morning, umpires Ian Gould and Richard Illingworth ruled out play after taking an inspection at around 12:30pm.

That abandonment meant it was three days out of three in the game that have been called off without a ball being bowled so far.

Speaking to journalist Mike Beddow, New Road groundsman Tim Packwood explained how the situation developed.

“The ground was playable on Friday. If anything, the rain on Saturday afternoon was a lot heavier than anticipated”, he said.

“That probably topped it up to the levels where it was touch and go on Monday as to whether the players would get on. 

“But there were just areas of the ground where, the best way to describe it, was that it had turned to like a jelly-blancmange. So when you put your foot down, it wasn’t actually wet on the surface but the ground was starting to move because of the height of the water table.”

Given the conditions at present, it would appear unlikely that any play will be possible on the fourth and final day tomorrow, leaving each of the two sides to take five points from this season opener.

 

Stumps, day three, Worcestershire v Kent at Worcester, Apr 10-13, 2016: – no play Tuesday due to a wet outfield

Photo via @shawma1, of the ground on day two (yesterday)