Warwickshire to play home match in Worcester during World Cup

Warwickshire had been struggling to find an alternative venue for the match against Essex, which comes in the same week as the World Cup semi-final at Edgbaston

Warwickshire will play a County Championship fixture outside of the county this year due to a scheduling clash with the World Cup.

The side's Division One game against Essex, due to start on Saturday, July 13, has been moved to New Road, the home of neighbouring Worcestershire.

Warwickshire had been struggling to find an alternative venue for the match, which comes in the same week as the World Cup semi-final at Edgbaston.

The county's groundstaff will be required for that occasion, and the reserve day on July 12, ruling out the use of an outground.

With the Edgbaston Community Sports Ground also ruled out as it is not considered fit to host first-class cricket, Warwickshire have had to look to a county rival for help.

And they found just that in the shape of Worcestershire.

^{Edgbaston will host the World Cup semi-final on July 11}

"I’d personally like to thank Matt Rawnsley and his team at Worcestershire CCC for their cooperation and for agreeing to host this fixture,” said Warwickshire chief executive Neil Snowball.

"We know that Blackfinch New Road is always a very popular venue for cricket fans and after plenty of discussion and consideration, we believe that this is our best option for this important fixture. We are also mindful of the fact that our members always enjoy their visits to Worcester and so this chance to play a four-day County Championship match at Blackfinch New Road will hopefully be well received."

Warwickshire, Essex and Worcestershire members will be able to use the New Road facilities free of charge, but prices for non-members have yet to be confirmed.

"We are delighted to be hosting five matches in the Cricket World Cup, including a semi-final, giving us the opportunity to showcase Edgbaston’s world class facilities and unique atmosphere to the world," Snowball said.

"We are actively exploring our options for 2020, when we know that the 50-over competition is likely to be played away from Edgbaston, and we will be considering the use of out grounds for these matches in addition to the use of the Edgbaston Community Sports Ground."