Flooding forces Worcestershire to move first County Championship game to Kidderminster

Since October, the ground has been underwater for 62 days. 2019 was just the third time since 1899 that New Road had flooded five times in a single calendar year

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Worcestershire have announced that their first County Championship game of the 2020 season will no longer take place at New Road.

The news follows two bouts of flooding early in the year, with the game against Sussex, beginning on April 25, now set to take place at Kidderminster Cricket Club. Sussex were unable to swap the fixture to Hove.

In 2019, Worcestershire were forced to shift games against Sussex and Derbyshire to Kidderminster at short notice in order to allow for work on cleaning up New Road following another flood.

Since October, the ground has been underwater for 62 days. 2019 was just the third time since 1899 that New Road had flooded five times in a single calendar year.

The county’s president report, which was published on Wednesday, stated: “We recognise that there is scope to improve our offerings to members and supporters when we are forced to move, and the club has been working closely with KCC (Kidderminster Cricket Club), especially in terms of seating, transportation and marquee access. KCC have been excellent partners and we are delighted to have extended and deepened our relationship with them for 2020 and 2021.”

^{Kidderminster Cricket Club also hosted Worcestershire's game with Sussex in 2019}

The report estimated a £250,000 cost for the move to Kidderminster in 2019. An off-season flood, it added, brought with it financial implications in the region of £60,000 to £70,000, mainly in clean-up costs. The club implemented new flood policy procedures in November 2019.

They have also attempted to ease the pain of the disruptions caused by the latest bout of flooding to the local area by offering free tickets to those affected by the inclement weather.

Storm Dennis damaged as many as 1,400 homes and businesses across the United Kingdom. To help compensate those affected, family tickets for a County Championship or One-Day Cup match during the 2020 season are being offered by the club.

“We recognise the widespread devastation caused by the floods in the Worcestershire area, and the suffering it continues to cause to the local community,” said chairman Fanos Hira at the time.

“We hope this small gesture allows those worst affected to come and enjoy some cricket at Blackfinch New Road during the summer.

“We would like to thank all in the City who have worked tireless to keep Worcester operational and safe during these difficult days.”