C&G Trophy 2004

Herefordshire to switch tie to New Road

Wisden Cricinfo staff

May 5, 2004

Herefordshire have agreed to switch their C&G Trophy second round match against Worcestershire to New Road tomorrow after today's game at Kingsland was washed out.

The ground was left unplayable after heavy overnight rain, with umpires Alan Whitehead and Hugh Evans calling off the game an hour before the start. "The match has been relocated to New Road on Thursday. Both parties are happy to do that," said Tom Moody, Worcestershire's director of cricket. "It is obvious that the ground is in a very poor condition here because of the torrential rain we've had. With us having a first-class ground, the advantage of more covering and extra staff, there is more of a chance of the game going ahead on Thursday."

He added, "It is very sad for Herefordshire who have put a lot of work into staging this game and you feel sorry for them. But that's the sort of thing that can happen with the weather in this country."

However, Worcestershire's scheduled National League game against Nottinghamshire had to be abandoned yesterday after heavy rain and a flooded outfield, and if tomorrow's game is washed out, then a bowling shoot-out would come into play. "Lord's would prefer both teams to play the game and only use a bowl-out as a very last resort," Moody said, adding that there was also the possibility of the match being played later in the month if need be. "There is also the chance that if tomorrow is washed out, and both parties agree, that the game could be played on an alternative date between now and May 21."

Herefordshire had been due to include Aravinda de Silva, the former Sri Lankan Test batsman, in their line-up, along with Franklyn Rose, the former West Indian fast bowler.

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