County News

Chesterfield Festival postponed

Cricinfo staff

July 23, 2007

The atrocious summer weather has forced Derbyshire to switch their Chesterfield Festival matches at Queen's Park next week to their home ground.

The persistent heavy rain has left the pitch and the rest of the ground saturated and, even if there is no further rain, the prospect of play next week is minimal. Consequently, both Derbyshire's Championship match against Somerset, and their Pro40 game against Kent, will now take place at the County Ground.

"This is obviously a hugely disappointing decision to have to make but it is the right one," Tom Sears, Derbyshire's chief executive said. "Both myself and officials from the council inspected the ground and park this morning and there is next to no chance of playing any cricket at Queen's Park later this week, even it the weather remains dry.

"The forecast is not good and with the outfield already sodden we have no alternative but to postpone the festival and transfer the fixtures to Derby," he said. "I am confident we will be back at Queen's Park in August or early September and the festival will repeat last year's enormous success."

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