Floodlit cricket off the agenda at Kent
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by Andrew
Gidley
Kent have opted against staging
floodlit cricket at Canterbury next summer.
The county have taken the decision following problems in the
last two years caused by strong winds preventing temporary lights
being used at the St Lawrence Ground.
The NatWest Pro40 Division 2 game
against Surrey in August was reduced to 27 overs-a-side after the
lights had to be lowered when the wind speed increased.
A year earlier, the game against
Leicestershire was abandoned, when the lights were unable to be
used because of the strong winds.
Kent’s director of business
development Jamie Clifford said: "We have taken the decision
because we don’t want to short-change the public again. Two years
running they haven’t got what they wanted, so we have given
ourselves some breathing space, and time to reflect on it.
"The new development will include
permanent floodlights, which is a very exciting prospect. It was a
tricky decision because we know people like cricket under lights
and it provides decent crowds."
Kent will play three away games
under lights in June, however, when they visit Hampshire, Surrey
and Middlesex.
Meanwhile, the county are talking
to Bromley Council and Tunbridge Wells Borough Council before
comfirming dates for Twenty20 and Sunday League matches at
Beckenham and The Nevill, and haven’t totally ruled out the
prospect of a return to Maidstone.
Mr Clifford added: "Twenty20
cricket on Friday nights and Sundays fits in with people’s
lifestyles. Crowds were up this summer, despite the recession, and
we hope the new extended fixture list will continue that trend next
year."
Thursday, November 26 2009
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