Sam Northeast reflected on a nightmare few days at washed-out Worcester which he says dealt Kent’s promotion hopes a kick in the teeth.

Northeast’s debut season as captain featured an extended pre-season to allow players to hit form in time for the opening Specsavers County Championship Division 2 match at New Road.

However, not for the first time, pre-season flooding at Worcester saw the water-table rise to the point where no play was possible in the season opener, despite three of the four days of this week's scheduled game being bathed in sunshine.

Northeast said: “For us it’s a nightmare. I don’t know what to say, we’re ready to go, raring to go, it’s a big setback and disappointing.

“What makes it worse is I reckon we could have done something, even something like reverse the fixture two weeks out.

“We turned up on the first day and knew pretty much straight away there would be no play over the four days. It is unacceptable.

"It is a kick in the teeth for us trying to get the one promotion spot. I’m sure the Worcester players feel the same way. All players want a good start but that’s been thrown out of the window.”

Northeast admitted to frustration as some promising form could dissipate between the end of the Loughborough MCCU clash on Thursday, April 7, and their next Championship fixture at Leicester on Sunday, April 24.

He said: “We have to come up with a plan to prepare for Leicestershire – maybe get some of the boys involved in the 2nd XI (game against MCC Youngsters at Beckenham next week).

“We have to treat Leicester like it’s our first game. Our preparation for Worcester was brilliant, everyone was excited, there was a good feel about the place so it’s disappointing not to test that out.”

Northeast claimed he had not spoken to officials from either club or the ECB about the Worcester situation and added: “We have to move on.

“We got stung at Worcester. It’s one of those things but it would be nice to learn the lessons so it does not happen again.

“This is not bad luck. I’d like to think there could have been something done.

“It is not acceptable. We have had days of sun but not played any cricket. It’s not fair on the fans that travelled, sorted out hotels or taken time off work.

“They wanted to see good cricket and we could have come to a conclusion days before the game, so all this could have been avoided.”