Kent's first home pre-season friendly has been called off due to a wet outfield at The Spitfire Ground.

They were due to face Hampshire in a two-day game beginning on Thursday.

After several days of snow and rain, the surface is saturated and the groundstaff have advised that play would be very unlikely this week.

The club also did not want to risk the safety of the players.

Head groundsman Simon Williamson said: "The snow in recent weeks knocked us back about ten days in our preparations and with the thawing snow and heavy rain in recent days, the outfield is saturated with more rain forecast in the coming days.

"The ground needs a few more days to dry out and we don’t want to risk the safety of the players or the long-term condition of the outfield."

Kent's next friendly is against Hampshire at the Ageas Bowl in a two-day game beginning on Thursday, March 22.

The next scheduled home pre-season fixture at The Spitfire Ground is a three-day match against Oxford MCCU on Sunday 1 April at 11am.