Kent’s fixtures for the 2022 season have been announced – but there won’t be any county cricket at Tunbridge Wells this summer.

The county have confirmed that all home matches will either be played at The Spitfire Ground in Canterbury or at Beckenham.

Kent chief executive Simon Storey said: “The tangible excitement that comes with the announcement of fixtures means that the season will soon be upon us with a busy schedule spanning six busy months.

“Kent members will have access to at least 43 days of cricket across all formats – this demonstrates real value for money in becoming a Kent member for 2022 and we’re delighted to be welcoming back our members this summer.

“Despite concerns of Covid, we are determined to fully re-open The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence and The County Ground, Beckenham in 2022. We’re excited to be bringing premier white and red-ball cricket back to Metropolitan Kent this season, now with five days of Men’s First XI cricket at Beckenham as opposed to four in 2021.

“Unfortunately this year it hasn’t been possible to return to the picturesque Nevill Ground in Tunbridge Wells. Despite the improving picture with Covid, we still are required to put in place operational plans to cover all eventualities.

“With this in mind, it’s not possible to move a complex first-class cricket operation to support out-ground cricket at a third venue. We have a close working relationship with Tunbridge Wells Cricket Club, and hope to return to The Nevill in 2023.”

The County Championship reverts back to a two-division format this summer with Kent starting their Division 1 campaign away to Essex at Chelmsford on Thursday, April 7.

The first cricket at Canterbury comes from Thursday, April 14 with a four-day match against Lancashire.

There are 14 championship games, including five in June and July, with the season potentially finishing as late as Thursday, September 29 when Kent host Somerset at Canterbury in the final week of the campaign.

Kent start the defence of their Vitality Blast T20 crown when they host Somerset at Canterbury on Wednesday, May 25 - a repeat of the 2021 final.

The Royal London One-Day Cup gets under way at Worcestershire Rapids on Tuesday, August 2, with home matches at both Beckenham and Canterbury.

The 170th Canterbury Cricket Week will fall between Monday, July 11 and Thursday, July 14 when Kent host Northamptonshire.

Canterbury will also play host to South Africa for a four-day tour match, as they continue their preparations for a Test series against England. The visitors will compete against a First-Class Counties Select XI from Tuesday, August 9.

KENT FIXTURES 2022

Thursday April 7

Essex v Kent (Chelmsford) – County Championship

Thursday April 14

Kent v Lancashire (Canterbury) – County Championship

Thursday April 21

Kent v Hampshire (Canterbury) – County Championship

Thursday April 28

Yorkshire v Kent (Headingley) – County Championship

Thursday May 12

Kent v Surrey (Beckenham) – County Championship

Thursday May 19

Northamptonshire v Kent (Northampton) – County Championship

Wednesday May 25

Kent Spitfires v Somerset (Canterbury) – Vitality Blast

Friday May 27

Kent Spitfires v Essex Eagles (Canterbury) – Vitality Blast

Sunday May 29

Sussex Sharks v Kent Spitfires (Sussex) – Vitality Blast

Wednesday June 1

Gloucestershire v Kent Spitfires (Bristol) – Vitality Blast

Friday June 3

Kent Spitfires v Surrey (Canterbury) – Vitality Blast

Sunday June 5

Kent Spitfires v Middlesex (Canterbury) – Vitality Blast

Tuesday June 7

Essex Eagles v Kent Spitfires (Chelmsford) – Vitality Blast

Friday June 10

Somerset v Kent Spitfires (Taunton) – Vitality Blast

Sunday June 12

Kent v Gloucestershire (Canterbury) – County Championship

Friday June 17

Hampshire Hawks v Kent Spitfires (Ageas Bowl) – Vitality Blast

Sunday June 19

Middlesex v Kent Spitfires (Lord’s) – Vitality Blast

Tuesday June 21

Kent Spitfires v Gloucestershire (Canterbury) – Vitality Blast

Friday June 24

Kent Spitfires v Sussex Sharks (Canterbury) – Vitality Blast

Sunday June 29

Surrey v Kent (The Oval) – County Championship

Friday July 1

Surrey v Kent Spitfires (The Oval) – Vitality Blast

Sunday July 3

Kent Spitfires v Glamorgan (Canterbury) – Vitality Blast

Monday July 11

Kent v Northamptonshire (Canterbury) – County Championship

Tuesday July 19

Warwickshire v Kent (Edgbaston) – County Championship

Monday July 25

Lancashire v Kent (Old Trafford) – County Championship

Sunday July 31

Suffolk v Kent (tbc) – National County match

Tuesday August 2

Worcestershire Rapids v Kent Spitfires (New Road) – Royal London Cup

Thursday August 4

Glamorgan v Kent Spitfires (tbc) – Royal London Cup

Sunday August 7

Kent Spitfires v Hampshire (Beckenham) – Royal London Cup

Thursday August 11

Essex Eagles v Kent Spitfires (Chelmsford) – Royal London Cup

Sunday August 14

Kent Spitfires v Northamptonshire Steelbacks (Canterbury) – Royal London Cup

Wednesday August 17

Derbyshire v Kent Spitfires (Derby) – Royal London Cup

Friday August 19

Kent Spitfires v Yorkshire Vikings (Canterbury) – Royal London Cup

Tuesday August 23

Kent Spitfires v Lancashire (Canterbury) – Royal London Cup

Monday September 5

Kent v Essex (Canterbury) – County Championship

Tuesday September 20

Hampshire v Kent (Ageas Bowl) – County Championship

Monday September 26

Kent v Somerset (Canterbury) – County Championship