Nevill Ground: Kent CEO Simon Storey says 'unlikely' County Championship games will return to Tunbridge Wells
- Published
Kent are unbeaten in their last 10 matches at the Nevill Ground
Kent's chief executive Simon Storey has said it is unlikely Tunbridge Wells will host any more County Championship matches.
Storey said the prospect of men's white-ball cricket returning to the Nevill Ground "remained a possibility"., external
Kent have not played men's first-team cricket at the venue since the annual Tunbridge Wells Festival was cancelled in 2020 because of the Covid pandemic.
The county were undefeated there in 10 matches dating back to 2009.
"Whilst a return to the Nevill [Ground] in 2024 for men's first XI is not scheduled, we want to support the excellent work that is going on locally which ensures cricket continues to be a thriving sport," Storey said. , external
"We'll continue to take significant men's second XI and Kent women's fixtures to Tunbridge Wells this summer and the door to an eventual return men's first XI remains open.
"Standards relating to the players' and umpires' facilities continue to rise and the quality of pitches remains key.
"Whilst it's increasingly difficult to see the return of first XI red-ball cricket to the Nevill, given the ever-rising requirements for first-class venues, first-team white-ball cricket remains a possibility."
The Nevill Ground had been one of two local venues used to host county matches outside of the Spitfire Ground in Canterbury, along with the County Cricket Ground in Beckenham.
Storey added the challenges were "not insurmountable but considerable" and would require a long-term plan to ensure a return to the venue was "financially sustainable".
Kent start the new season at home to Somerset on Friday, 5 April.