Drain stops play
Cricket officials are frantically trying to rearrange their matches at a host of different venues because they are busy draining and mopping up after their pitch was transformed into a lake by floods.
Amblecote and Wollaston Cricket Club is facing a costly clean up bill after the Marsh Playing Fields in Kinver were left under water.
The pitch has been left to drain off this week and officials from the club will be heading out tonight to check the damage where water is knee-deep.
Containers at the playing fields containing equipment such as lawn mowers were were completely submerged in water. The flood water even began to leak into the pavilion, although officials are crossing their fingers it has not ruined everything in the club house.
The scenes at the club are reminiscent of floods at Worcestershire Cricket Club in New Road, Worcester, which has been left out of action.
Amblecote and Wollaston spokesman Ross Parker said: "It was terrible and was something I was not expecting to see. I don't see how it will drain off in time for this season so we are having to juggle fixtures at other grounds in the area that we can share.
"The water level has come down during the week but as soon as we get another downpour it could just fill up again.
"We are going out tonight to open up the containers with the equipment in it and see what we have left that is working.
"We are also going to check the pavilion. It is built on a raised platform because of floods in the past, but it was still right up to the door and I think some water got in and some carpet tiles might have to be replaced, hopefully that is all."
Mr Parker added: "One good thing to come out of it is that all of this water should give us some good grass in the outfield next season."
