Leaving aside the competition itself, the pitch last night (I watched a bit of it) was terribly slow, making it almost impossible to play big shots, which is the whole point of white ball cricket in particular.
There's been a trend towards concentrating cricket in the major grounds, but pitches are getting overused and tired, and lack bounce as a result, not helped by modern drainage.
Kent won't go back to Tunbridge Wells because of concerns about the quality of the pitch and facilities, but the Canterbury pitches aren't that great anyway. So often they're really slow.
Kent should play most of their games at Beckenham, in my view , with a couple each at Canterbury and TW.
why?
Because an awful lot of supporters live nearer to Beckenham than Canterbury. I believe attendances would be higher. I'd probably buy an ST.
Canterbury is the spiritual home of Kent cricket, one of the oldest grounds in the world, and it is steeped in history and tradition. In addition, it has the facilities, academy, and club offices. Beckenham lacks character or facilities for any large crowds anyway, Kent v Essex in t20 a few weeks ago was a sell out in Canterbury (4000ish), Beckenham holds just 2500. I would also wager majority of Kent supporters live closer to Canterbury than Beckenham
Leaving aside the competition itself, the pitch last night (I watched a bit of it) was terribly slow, making it almost impossible to play big shots, which is the whole point of white ball cricket in particular.
There's been a trend towards concentrating cricket in the major grounds, but pitches are getting overused and tired, and lack bounce as a result, not helped by modern drainage.
Kent won't go back to Tunbridge Wells because of concerns about the quality of the pitch and facilities, but the Canterbury pitches aren't that great anyway. So often they're really slow.
Kent should play most of their games at Beckenham, in my view , with a couple each at Canterbury and TW.
As mentioned by Killer, TW can't be used as its facilities and ground aren't up to scratch and neither the council and certainly not KCCC are willing to stump up the money to achieve that.
I still think there's also a lack of will on Kent's part.
Why not play one of the Sunday 50 over games there as a test event? The facilities might be less nice for the players, but I imagine there would be a great crowd. And if the pitch wasn't good, it's not as if the ECB would take any action for what is clearly a competition of little importance to them
The issue may not be just the changing facilities for players or umpires or the pitch. It is possibly the outfield too. I was there for the opening game of last season and I can safely say that I have never walked on one so "spongy". One of the players in that game got their studs caught in the ground but fortunately he wasn't seriously injured. The following week a Kent 2s game was switched from there to Polo Farm as TW was considered too dangerous for the players. At that time there was a known issue with the drainage, whether that is still the case or has been rectified I do not know. Has there even been any of the 2nd XI or Women's games that were promised last year been scheduled? Kent have also previously had to switch their grounds staff to make the pitch up to county standard.
TW would almost certainly be full but the it has a capacity of 4,500. Beckenham holds 6,000 and Canterbury's capacity is 15,000. So Canterbury, even a third full, is more than TW and doesn't have any of the associated costs/risks that TW presents.
That 15000 is only with temporary stands though. Isn't the normal capacity 7000?
I don't know as all I can find is 15,000. Even if that were the case, a two thirds full Canterbury is the same and even ignoring the players and umpires facilities, the pitch and outfield being of county standard is paramount. Simon Storey said (and this was in February 2024 and before the issues at the beginning of last season) are "not insurmountable but considerable" and would require a long-term plan to ensure a return to the venue was "financially sustainable". We can't afford a top class overseas and the the stretched Council aren't prepared to put their hands in their pockets either.
This is the statement from Kent in the week after I saw a club game played at TW and the horrendous outfield:
"The Kent Second XI T20 match against Middlesex, originally scheduled for May 27th at The Nevill Ground, Tunbridge Wells, has been moved to Polo Farm, Canterbury. This decision was made due to concerns about the playing surface and outfield conditions at The Nevill. Kent Cricket and Tunbridge Wells Cricket Club agreed that the conditions would not be suitable for the match."
Leaving aside the competition itself, the pitch last night (I watched a bit of it) was terribly slow, making it almost impossible to play big shots, which is the whole point of white ball cricket in particular.
There's been a trend towards concentrating cricket in the major grounds, but pitches are getting overused and tired, and lack bounce as a result, not helped by modern drainage.
Kent won't go back to Tunbridge Wells because of concerns about the quality of the pitch and facilities, but the Canterbury pitches aren't that great anyway. So often they're really slow.
Kent should play most of their games at Beckenham, in my view , with a couple each at Canterbury and TW.
As mentioned by Killer, TW can't be used as its facilities and ground aren't up to scratch and neither the council and certainly not KCCC are willing to stump up the money to achieve that.
I still think there's also a lack of will on Kent's part.
Why not play one of the Sunday 50 over games there as a test event? The facilities might be less nice for the players, but I imagine there would be a great crowd. And if the pitch wasn't good, it's not as if the ECB would take any action for what is clearly a competition of little importance to them
The outfield at TW is also not very good (although slightly better than last year when it was positively dangerous at times). The stands are in poor repair, and toilets few and far between. TW (and KCCC) have a lot to do if they are to host the county side again in the near future IMO.
Leaving aside the competition itself, the pitch last night (I watched a bit of it) was terribly slow, making it almost impossible to play big shots, which is the whole point of white ball cricket in particular.
There's been a trend towards concentrating cricket in the major grounds, but pitches are getting overused and tired, and lack bounce as a result, not helped by modern drainage.
Kent won't go back to Tunbridge Wells because of concerns about the quality of the pitch and facilities, but the Canterbury pitches aren't that great anyway. So often they're really slow.
Kent should play most of their games at Beckenham, in my view , with a couple each at Canterbury and TW.
As mentioned by Killer, TW can't be used as its facilities and ground aren't up to scratch and neither the council and certainly not KCCC are willing to stump up the money to achieve that.
I still think there's also a lack of will on Kent's part.
Why not play one of the Sunday 50 over games there as a test event? The facilities might be less nice for the players, but I imagine there would be a great crowd. And if the pitch wasn't good, it's not as if the ECB would take any action for what is clearly a competition of little importance to them
The outfield at TW is also not very good (although slightly better than last year when it was positively dangerous at times). The stands are in poor repair, and toilets few and far between. TW (and KCCC) have a lot to do if they are to host the county side again in the near future IMO.
Ignore TW then , until they are able properly host a game - gorgeous ground.
The wickets at Canterbury this season havent exactly been great, not for the 4 day stuff anyway .
Comments
TW would almost certainly be full but the it has a capacity of 4,500. Beckenham holds 6,000 and Canterbury's capacity is 15,000. So Canterbury, even a third full, is more than TW and doesn't have any of the associated costs/risks that TW presents.
This is the statement from Kent in the week after I saw a club game played at TW and the horrendous outfield:
"The Kent Second XI T20 match against Middlesex, originally scheduled for May 27th at The Nevill Ground, Tunbridge Wells, has been moved to Polo Farm, Canterbury. This decision was made due to concerns about the playing surface and outfield conditions at The Nevill. Kent Cricket and Tunbridge Wells Cricket Club agreed that the conditions would not be suitable for the match."
host a game - gorgeous ground.
stuff anyway .
7-1
27-2