Kent Cricket 2025

IR94

bolloxbolder said:

IR94 said:

wmcf123 said:

killerandflash said:

Leaving aside the competition itself, the pitch last night (I watched a bit of it) was terribly slow, making it almost impossible to play big shots, which is the whole point of white ball cricket in particular. 

There's been a trend towards concentrating cricket in the major grounds, but pitches are getting overused and tired, and lack bounce as a result, not helped by modern drainage.

Kent won't go back to Tunbridge Wells because of concerns about the quality of the pitch and facilities, but the Canterbury pitches aren't that great anyway. So often they're really slow.

Kent should play most of their games at Beckenham, in my view , with a couple each at Canterbury and TW. 

why?

Because an awful lot of supporters live nearer to Beckenham than Canterbury.  I believe attendances would be higher. I'd probably buy an ST.

Canterbury is the spiritual home of Kent cricket, one of the oldest grounds in the world, and it is steeped in history and tradition. In addition, it has the facilities, academy, and club offices. Beckenham lacks character or facilities for any large crowds anyway, Kent v Essex in t20 a few weeks ago was a sell out in Canterbury (4000ish), Beckenham holds just 2500. I would also wager majority of Kent supporters live closer to Canterbury than Beckenham

Addick Addict

killerandflash said:

Addick Addict said:

wmcf123 said:

killerandflash said:

Leaving aside the competition itself, the pitch last night (I watched a bit of it) was terribly slow, making it almost impossible to play big shots, which is the whole point of white ball cricket in particular. 

There's been a trend towards concentrating cricket in the major grounds, but pitches are getting overused and tired, and lack bounce as a result, not helped by modern drainage.

Kent won't go back to Tunbridge Wells because of concerns about the quality of the pitch and facilities, but the Canterbury pitches aren't that great anyway. So often they're really slow.

Kent should play most of their games at Beckenham, in my view , with a couple each at Canterbury and TW. 

As mentioned by Killer, TW can't be used as its facilities and ground aren't up to scratch and neither the council and certainly not KCCC are willing to stump up the money to achieve that. 

I still think there's also a lack of will on Kent's part. 

Why not play one of the Sunday 50 over games there as a test event? The facilities might be less nice for the players, but I imagine there would be a great crowd. And if the pitch wasn't good, it's not as if the ECB would take any action for what is clearly a competition of little importance to them

The issue may not be just the changing facilities for players or umpires or the pitch. It is possibly the outfield too. I was there for the opening game of last season and I can safely say that I have never walked on one so "spongy". One of the players in that game got their studs caught in the ground but fortunately he wasn't seriously injured. The following week a Kent 2s game was switched from there to Polo Farm as TW was considered too dangerous for the players. At that time there was a known issue with the drainage, whether that is still the case or has been rectified I do not know. Has there even been any of the 2nd XI or Women's games that were promised last year been scheduled? Kent have also previously had to switch their grounds staff to make the pitch up to county standard. 

TW would almost certainly be full but the it has a capacity of 4,500. Beckenham holds 6,000 and Canterbury's capacity is 15,000. So Canterbury, even a third full, is more than TW and doesn't have any of the associated costs/risks that TW presents.  

killerandflash

That 15000 is only with temporary stands though. Isn't the normal capacity 7000?

BerkshireBob

Fanny Fanackapan said:

MarcusH26 said:

Looks like perfect weather down here for tomorrow , Arundel is probably the prettiest out ground too 

Sussex will probably be a mix and match side with a fair few young players , were comfortably beaten at Durham yesterday .

See you there ?

We’ll be there en famille.

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killerandflash said:

That 15000 is only with temporary stands though. Isn't the normal capacity 7000?

I don't know as all I can find is 15,000. Even if that were the case, a two thirds full Canterbury is the same and even ignoring the players and umpires facilities, the pitch and outfield being of county standard is paramount. Simon Storey said (and this was in February 2024 and before the issues at the beginning of last season) are  "not insurmountable but considerable" and would require a long-term plan to ensure a return to the venue was "financially sustainable". We can't afford a top class overseas and the the stretched Council aren't prepared to put their hands in their pockets either. 

This is the statement from Kent in the week after I saw a club game played at TW and the horrendous outfield:

"The Kent Second XI T20 match against Middlesex, originally scheduled for May 27th at The Nevill Ground, Tunbridge Wells, has been moved to Polo Farm, Canterbury. This decision was made due to concerns about the playing surface and outfield conditions at The Nevill. Kent Cricket and Tunbridge Wells Cricket Club agreed that the conditions would not be suitable for the match." 

Pedro45

killerandflash said:

Addick Addict said:

wmcf123 said:

killerandflash said:

Leaving aside the competition itself, the pitch last night (I watched a bit of it) was terribly slow, making it almost impossible to play big shots, which is the whole point of white ball cricket in particular. 

There's been a trend towards concentrating cricket in the major grounds, but pitches are getting overused and tired, and lack bounce as a result, not helped by modern drainage.

Kent won't go back to Tunbridge Wells because of concerns about the quality of the pitch and facilities, but the Canterbury pitches aren't that great anyway. So often they're really slow.

Kent should play most of their games at Beckenham, in my view , with a couple each at Canterbury and TW. 

As mentioned by Killer, TW can't be used as its facilities and ground aren't up to scratch and neither the council and certainly not KCCC are willing to stump up the money to achieve that. 

I still think there's also a lack of will on Kent's part. 

Why not play one of the Sunday 50 over games there as a test event? The facilities might be less nice for the players, but I imagine there would be a great crowd. And if the pitch wasn't good, it's not as if the ECB would take any action for what is clearly a competition of little importance to them

The outfield at TW is also not very good (although slightly better than last year when it was positively dangerous at times). The stands are in poor repair, and toilets few and far between. TW (and KCCC) have a lot to do if they are to host the county side again in the near future IMO.

wmcf123

Pedro45 said:

killerandflash said:

Addick Addict said:

wmcf123 said:

killerandflash said:

Leaving aside the competition itself, the pitch last night (I watched a bit of it) was terribly slow, making it almost impossible to play big shots, which is the whole point of white ball cricket in particular. 

There's been a trend towards concentrating cricket in the major grounds, but pitches are getting overused and tired, and lack bounce as a result, not helped by modern drainage.

Kent won't go back to Tunbridge Wells because of concerns about the quality of the pitch and facilities, but the Canterbury pitches aren't that great anyway. So often they're really slow.

Kent should play most of their games at Beckenham, in my view , with a couple each at Canterbury and TW. 

As mentioned by Killer, TW can't be used as its facilities and ground aren't up to scratch and neither the council and certainly not KCCC are willing to stump up the money to achieve that. 

I still think there's also a lack of will on Kent's part. 

Why not play one of the Sunday 50 over games there as a test event? The facilities might be less nice for the players, but I imagine there would be a great crowd. And if the pitch wasn't good, it's not as if the ECB would take any action for what is clearly a competition of little importance to them

The outfield at TW is also not very good (although slightly better than last year when it was positively dangerous at times). The stands are in poor repair, and toilets few and far between. TW (and KCCC) have a lot to do if they are to host the county side again in the near future IMO.

Ignore TW then , until they are able properly 
host a game  - gorgeous ground.  

The wickets at Canterbury this season havent exactly been great, not for the 4 day
stuff anyway .  

fenaddick

Lots of wickets around the country have been slow and flat, it’s not a uniquely Kent problem 

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Sussex have won the toss and elected to field. Kent have left out Dawkins and Flintoff.

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Not the greatest of starts - Jaydn out, caught at gully, for a duck

7-1

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Compton caught behind for 11 (14)

27-2

Todds_right_hook

Is this on any other stream apart from u tube

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57-2 (10)

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Todds_right_hook said:

Is this on any other stream apart from u tube

Not as far as I'm aware. 

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50 for Evison

108-2 (18)

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Benjamin caught and bowled next ball by Lamb for 34 (41)

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Evison smashes a long hop straight to Carter at midwicket - out for 52 (54)

So two wickets lost on 108 leaving Finch and Ekansh having to re-build from scratch. 

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132-4 (25)

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159-4 (30)

Partnership of 51 between Finch and Ekansh. Hopefully, we can now step it up for the final 20 overs.

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Finch caught at midwicket for 38 (52)

197-5 (36.3)

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Ekansh out to a running catch by cover over his head for 48 (61)

199-6 (38)

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We now have one player who hasn't been able to buy a run this season, Leaning, joined by someone making their professional debt in Rizvi. 

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209-6 (40)

CHG

Kent Twitter has a new toy…updating the progress of our innings 😀

ken_shabby

Maybe it's a really bad wicket and we're doing great.
215-6. 42 overs.

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ken_shabby said:

Maybe it's a really bad wicket and we're doing great.
215-6. 42 overs.

I'm not sure it's a poor wicket but it's not a 350 plus track. I would suggest that 270 might be par. 

Peter_G

Addick Addict said:

ken_shabby said:

Maybe it's a really bad wicket and we're doing great.
215-6. 42 overs.

I'm not sure it's a poor wicket but it's not a 350 plus track. I would suggest that 270 might be par. 

270 made with three overs to go. Useful stand of 75 by Leaning and Mo Rizvi. CoyS 

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Two quick wickets lost - Rizvi (36) & Klaassen (3)

278-8 (48) 

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Leaning caught for 37 (31)

278-9 (48.1)

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287-9 (50)

Disappointing that half a dozen players got to 34 plus but didn't go big. Something to bowl at though.