WORCESTERSHIRE will play their first two home games of the LV=Insurance County Championship games at Kidderminster.

The decision has been made to move the games with Durham (scheduled to begin on April 19) and Somerset (April 26) due to the impact the winter flooding has had on the New Road surface, which has been underwater four times in recent months.

This move to Kidderminster, the Club’s Official Outground, ensures that the fixtures can proceed and allow New Road more time to recover.

The Central Sparks fixture against Sunrisers on Wednesday 1 May has also been relocated to Kidderminster.

Ashley Giles, CEO of Worcestershire expressed his thoughts on the venue change, stating, "Despite facing four floods since the close of the 2023 season, we remained highly confident in our ability to start this season at New Road.

"However, the occurrence of a fifth flood this week has necessitated the decision to move our initial home games to Kidderminster.

"This decision, though difficult, underscores our commitment to ensuring the season progresses smoothly, prioritising the experience of our supporters and players."

It comes a week after Giles stated that Worcestershire may one day have to find a new permanent home away from New Road in the future, due to the ongoing issues caused by years of flooding.

"I have to be open to everything," he said in an interview with The Times. "We clearly want to stay here; this is the spiritual home of Worcestershire and in the summer it’s just gorgeous.

"With the view of the cathedral, it's one of the most iconic venues in the world, but the situation is just getting worse and worse.

"There have been more high floods in the last 24 years than there were in the previous hundred. The biggest issue is whatever we do with the ground to develop it and improve it, is what is happening in the middle."