Storm Dave causes indefinite delay to start of Durham vs Kent county game, host club issues advisory

While the action in the County Championship Division Two 2026 was supposed to get underway on Sunday, April 05, the windstorms from the Storm Dave has damaged the ground at the Banks Homes Riverside, which is the venue for the season opener between Durham and Kent.

As a result, the club has officially released a statement saying that the game has been delayed from its original start time, while also noting that spectators will not be allowed to attend the game until they release any further notice in the regard.

“Following Storm Dave hitting the North East in the early hours of Sunday morning, damage has been caused within the venue – therefore, there will be no spectators permitted into the ground until further notice,” Durham said in a release on April 05.

“The Club has been in discussions with the match officials and venue staff this morning, and following the impact on the pitch and structures within the ground, it is confirmed that play will not commence on time, and a further update will be provided in due course. Until further assessment has taken place, our ground safety team has decided it is unsafe to allow spectators into the venue,” the club stated further.

Notably, the statement has also conveyed that to only players and match officials, who, too, will be at the ground only with a hope that the match will commence as and when the conditions allow for the same. Durham will be releasing a notification updating the start of the match and further details regarding the matter.

“The ground will remain closed to members and spectators until further notice. Please do not travel to Banks Homes Riverside for today’s play. As the safety of all players, staff and spectators is the Club’s number one priority, spectators are requested not to travel to the ground, and the Club will provide an update in due course,” the club concluded.

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