A CHANGE in the toss rule could prove a “big advantage” for opposition teams in the opening month of the season, admits Worcestershire director of cricket Steve Rhodes.

In both divisions of the Specsavers County Championship, the home side will have to bat first if the visitors exercise their right to bowl.

The changes have been introduced for the first time in English cricket this summer with the ECB hoping the move will lead to an improvement in pitches.

But, with the early-season conditions traditionally favouring the bowlers, Rhodes believes the move could benefit teams playing away from home.

Two of Worcestershire’s opening three fixtures are at New Road this summer.

“The no-toss rule was brought in for some good reasons,” said Rhodes.

“Generally, the wickets in county cricket have not been as good as they could have been and the ECB felt one of the reasons for giving the opposition the opportunity to bowl first would be to improve wickets.

"It’s an exercise worth trying.

“Our ground staff are magnificent at New Road.

"One issue I do have is that, during the first month of the season in April, the change might have a big advantage for the opposition teams.

“If you have two away matches in April, you may have an advantage as the away club.”

Rhodes added: “Perhaps it might be something the ECB could look at again and they may decide to bring in the rule from May onwards, so we will see what happens.”

Meanwhile, Rhodes has reaffirmed the County’s support for batsman Tom Fell, who is expected to miss at least the first half of the season as he undergoes treatment against cancer.

The talented batsman scored more than 1,000 runs last summer for Worcestershire in their Division One relegation season.

“Tom’s absence is a blow to the team and the club because he was our highest scorer in Division One and the youngest person to score 1,000 runs in the top tier last year,” said Rhodes.

“To have him missing for the start of this summer is a blow. His health is far more important than a game of cricket and we are desperate for him to battle his way through the problems.

"Hopefully, he can come back strongly for us and start playing some cricket towards the back-end of the season.”

Worcestershire's opening Championship match of the campaign against Kent at New Road suffered a rain-hit start.

Play was called off for the day at 3pm due to a waterlogged outfield after an inspection by umpires Richard Illingworth, the former County spinner, and Ian Gould.

Persistent rain fell in Worcester on Saturday after a deluge the previous day.

County assistant coach Matt Mason said: "It is frustrating but we can't do anything about it. It is one of those things that is out of your control really.

"We've given it a good chance to dry out and it just hasn't done it quite enough and at the end of the day players' safety has got to come first and foremost. These decisions have to be made.

"There are quite a few patches out there, where the ground is a little bit unsafe. It is shifting underfoot.

"The umpires have taken the decision that it is not quite fit and we have to respect that.

"It absolutely chucked it down with rain on Saturday and this ground, being so close to the river and the way the river has come up as well, I guess it has got nowhere to go.

"We needed some sunshine all day and breeze and, although it has improved, it would need to improve a bit more yet."