KENT'S LV Championship game with Worcestershire scheduled to start this Sunday will be played in Worcester after all despite recent flooding at the New Road ground.

In confirming the decision not to move the four-day match to an alternative venue like Kidderminster, Worcestershire's chief executive, Mark Newton, said: "This has been a tough and risky decision, but all my colleagues have 'bought' into the desire to see cricket being played here on Sunday at 11am.

"The flood water is still on some parts of the outfield and car parks and in the marquee, but we are able to get into the buildings and start the clean up.

"The most difficult piece of the jigsaw is the wicket, but we think a decent wicket can be prepared. I am told by those who know that the normal recovery period is two to three weeks, but we have just six days.

"The entire infrastructure may not be ready but we owe it to our members and supporters to show what we can achieve. The 'odour' pervading the ground is pretty bad and we will be calling on our members later in the week to come down and give a few hours help to wipe down the seats and certain other areas."

This latest River Severn flood is the first summer flood since 1969 and the second worst summer flood ever, the worst being in 1924, and the club already anticipates costs and lost revenue of around £150,000 to £200,000.