NEW CEO Matt Rawnsley said Worcestershire will “do everything possible” to play the County Championship opener at Blackfinch New Road from April 27 after flooding.

But Rawnsley also stressed the County have contingency plans “in place” if the fixture with Nottinghamshire has to be moved from headquarters.

The floods peaked in Worcester last Friday and now it will be a case of seeing how long it takes for the waters to recede.

Rawnsley said: “At the moment we are going to do everything we possibly can to play here for the first home game.

“We normally leave three weeks after the water has receded to get the pitch prepared. It is going to be tight so we have got some contingency plans in place if we can’t play here.

“The Royal Grammar School, which is a partner of ours, is an option for us and there are some other grounds as well we could play at.

“We are going to watch how quickly the water goes off New Road and play it by ear.

“Apparently there are ‘dirty’ floods and ‘clean’ floods. This one has been a relatively clean one so hopefully it won’t be too messy when the water goes away and the guys will do a great job in turning it around.”

Rawnsley said the County have been in contact with the ECB over the situation.

He said: “We have a very good relationship. They have been very understanding with us in setting out the schedule for the season.

“Our home first-class game with Leeds-Bradford MCCU was scheduled for RGS Worcester and our first two Championship matches are scheduled to take place away.

“We are in close contact with them on what is happening here in April.”

Rawnsley said past experiences of such floods meant the County were well equipped to deal with the challenges they present.

He said: “People have asked me ‘How are you coping with the challenge?’ I’ve got to say we are prepared for the floods.

“The whole team across the club has reacted really well. We know what we’ve got to do. We have contingency plans in place for when this happens.

“Everyone pulled out the stops to ensure the chairman’s lunch went ahead as scheduled last Friday to give one example.”