New Road submerged as Worcestershire prepare for Sussex clash

Floods have forced the county to move their County Championship fixture to Kidderminster Cricket Club

Pictures have emerged showing Worcestershire's New Road completely submerged under water as floods continue to persist in the West Midlands.

There have been 159 floods since the county first achieved first-class status in 1899, six of which have come since 2007.

Overall, floods have affected the ground thirteen times during a cricket season, with four coming during the month of June since 1899.

The water covering the ground has caused Worcestershire to move their County Championship fixture against Sussex to Kidderminster Cricket Club, with the game beginning on Tuesday, a day later than scheduled, to give them time to prepare the new location. 

^{Worcestershire have been forced to move their game against Sussex (picture: Worcestershire CCC)}

Worcestershire CEO Matt Rawnsley said: "This is not an ideal situation and we would always prefer to play at Blackfinch New Road, however the change of venue gives us the best chance of playing next week’s fixture.

"Kidderminster Cricket Club has hosted many first-class fixtures over the years and we are extremely grateful for their assistance at such short notice. We would also like to thank the ECB and Sussex County Cricket Club for their corporation."

Rain delays frustrated both Worcestershire's stalemate with Lancashire and Sussex's draw with Gloucestershire in the counties' previous County Championship outings.

^{Floods have troubled the county on many previous occasions (picture: Tim Packwood)}

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