Kidderminster bails out flood-hit Worcestershire

	The sorry scene at New Road on Sunday © Getty Images Enlarge

Worcestershire have confirmed that their remaining games in 2008 will be played at Kidderminster CC after their home ground at New Road was flooded at the weekend.

After last season's unseasonal floods, the county put in place a contingency plan to switch matches to Kidderminster at short notice should the need arise. Torrential downpours on Friday and Saturday caused rivers surrounding New Road to burst their banks on Saturday night, leaving the ground under more than a foot of water.

"Following Graeme Hick's announcement about his retirement at the end of the season, interest about these two fixtures has been immense," Mark Newton, Worcestershire's chairman, said. "Cricket followers throughout the country want to see his last few innings at New Road but the irony is that he started his cricket in England at Kidderminster. We hope that our members and supporters will make every effort to come to the cricket and give Graeme the send off he deserves as the team look to finish off the season as Division Two Champions."

Unlike last season when the move to Kidderminster was all very rushed, the arrangements this year should present fewer problems to spectators and officials. "As usual at Chester Road, we urge people to bring their own seats, food and drink, with a maximum of four bottles per person equivalent," Newton said.

The scheduled games are the final Pro40 game against Middlesex on Sunday September 14 and the last Championship game against Middlesex starting on September 17, which could see the county secure promotion and the Division Two crown.