Kent have opted against staging floodlit cricket at Canterbury next summer.

The county have taken the decision following problems in the last two years caused by strong winds preventing temporary lights being used at the St Lawrence Ground.

The NatWest Pro40 Division 2 game against Surrey in August was reduced to 27 overs-a-side after the lights had to be lowered when the wind speed increased.

A year earlier, the game against Leicestershire was abandoned, when the lights were unable to be used because of the strong winds.

Kent’s director of business development Jamie Clifford said: "We have taken the decision because we don’t want to short-change the public again. Two years running they haven’t got what they wanted, so we have given ourselves some breathing space, and time to reflect on it.

"The new development will include permanent floodlights, which is a very exciting prospect. It was a tricky decision because we know people like cricket under lights and it provides decent crowds."

Kent will play three away games under lights in June, however, when they visit Hampshire, Surrey and Middlesex.

Meanwhile, the county are talking to Bromley Council and Tunbridge Wells Borough Council before comfirming dates for Twenty20 and Sunday League matches at Beckenham and The Nevill, and haven’t totally ruled out the prospect of a return to Maidstone.

Mr Clifford added: "Twenty20 cricket on Friday nights and Sundays fits in with people’s lifestyles. Crowds were up this summer, despite the recession, and we hope the new extended fixture list will continue that trend next year."