Himley to host big clash
Up to 4,000 people are about to descend on Himley Cricket Club after flood-hit Worcestershire County Cricket Club chose the venue to host a Twenty-20 match.
Torrential rain has left Worcestershire's New Road ground under water and the club has been forced to play three of its 20-overs fixtures elsewhere. Worcestershire has turned to Himley's Stourbridge Road ground for a clash against Glamorgan next Thursday.
The Himley has appealed for fans to bring deckchairs and are looking into the possibility of building temporary stands for the match.
Kidderminster's Chester Road home has been chosen to host two other Twenty-20 games while New Road dries out.
"We have already sold 1,600 tickets in advance and we have a membership of between 1,000 to 1,200 in addition," said Worcestershire CCC chief executive Mark Newton. "We aren't selling any more tickets and people won't be able to buy them on the day.
"Himley's ground has been confirmed as the ground we're using by the ECB and we're very grateful to the chairman Gordon Lewis and his colleagues for putting together the logistics so quickly. It's a terrific gesture and it's nice to have that kind of help."
Meanwhile, the owner of an indoor children's adventure playground in Stourbridge is in a battle with his landlord over a spiralling repair bill for flood damage.
Chris Flower, owner of Chilly Kiddy's on Mill Race Lane said a blocked drain was the cause of a flood at the 8,000 sq ft playground, which has left him with £50,000 to pay in repairs.
Now Mr Flower and his insurance company are in dispute with site owners Kingswinford-based London Cambridge Properties (LCP) over who should pay.