‘Unprecedented flooding’ causes uncertain future for cricket ground

The future of Worcestershire County Cricket Club’s ground is hanging in the balance after recent “unprecedented” record levels of flooding.

New Road has seen an increasing regularity of flooding leading to “real issues regarding the sustainability of the club”.

A move away from the ground could be on the cards to “ensure the long-term future” of the club said Worcestershire’s board in a statement on Monday (March 15).

Worcestershire already has permission to play its first two games away from home to give New Road time to recover from flooding.

However this year seven full floods have covered the ground, meaning its first home matches against Durham and Somerset had to be switched to Worcestershire’s out-ground at Chester Road in Kidderminster.

Chief executive Ashley Giles told BBC Hereford & Worcester on April 3: “I don’t think we can carry on like this. It’s costing us a lot of money.

“The ground is here to stage cricket, to be a venue for entertainment and hospitality. But conditions are seemingly getting worse.”

In a statement, the club’s board said: “Given the recent unprecedented record volume of flooding at New Road, and the increasing regularity of flooding, the Board of Worcestershire County Cricket Club understands the very real issues regarding the sustainability of the Club.

“As a Board, we will make it our key priority to explore every option, including a move from New Road, over the next few months so we can provide the membership and key stakeholders with a plan.

“This is to ensure the long-term future of Worcestershire County Cricket Club.”

The Pears returned to Division One of the Championship after gaining promotion last season and have drawn in both their games so far against Warwickshire and Notts.