WORCESTERSHIRE aim to beat the clock and get their flood damaged ground ready on time for the start of the new cricket season.

During the winter the New Road ground has experienced some of the worst flooding since the record levels of 1947.

It has given head groundman Roy McLaren and his staff massive problems during their preparations for the new season.

The ground has been under deep water on four separate occasions leaving muddy tell-tale signs that are clearly visible today when there was further heavy rain.

County secretary Mike Vockins, however, is optimistic that the damage will be overcome in time for the start of the new campaign. "At the moment we are determined to be ready for the first match here which starts on April 25, but we do need some good weather between now and then.

"I can't imagine it's going to rain all the time. We need all the time we can get. That's one of the reasons we have postponed our Open Day on Sunday because we didn't feel it was fair to the staff here to divert their attention to getting the place looking smart and ship-shape for then because it was more important we get ready for cricket on April 25.

"It's been the worst I can remember in terms of the aftermath of the floods. We have had a lot of clearing up to do in days gone by, but I think this has left quite a lot of silt on the outfield and every time there's a drop of rain it hangs in the water, so it's not clearing as quickly as it might.

"But we are certainly doing everything possible to be ready. Our first game of the season is at Lord's so that helps by not being at home."

The County had planned a 'warm-up' match against Herefordshire next week, but the idea has now been scrapped.

Two of Worcestershire's three pre-season games at Nottinghamshire on April 11 and Derbyshire the following day are away, but it is hoped that a friendly with Glamorgan at New Road on April 17 will be able to go ahead.

"The players have been doing some netting here, but we have also been doing our fitness work elsewhere, but that's as much to do with the rain as it is with the floods," said Vockins.