NEXT summer’s European Championship soccer in Portugal will mean Kent County Cricket Club play three limited overs’ games at their out-ground in Maidstone instead of a traditional four-day championship match.

Middlesex and Essex travel to The Mote on July 2 and 5 respectively for Twenty20 Cup qualifiers, and Essex Eagles return for National League action on Sunday, July 4.

In confirming Maidstone’s 2004 fixtures Kent chief executive Paul Millman said: “We have reached agreement with both Maidstone Borough Council and The Mote for a change in next year’s Maidstone Festival format.

“The success of Twenty20 cricket in 2003 and a desire not to clash with football’s European Championships has since led to a re-scheduling of next year’s first-class programme.

“We were keen to maintain Maidstone’s traditional early July slot, so those three factors have led a change in emphasis.

“It’s obviously disappointing not to fit a championship match into next year’s festival, but we will review things again when looking at the 2005 fixtures and once we’ve assessed the success of Twenty20 cricket in Maidstone.

In welcoming next season’s change of emphasis, Maidstone Borough Council’s deputy chief executive Trevor Gasson said: “The council is fully supportive of these changes and excited by the prospect of the new Twenty20 competition coming to town.

“We are sure that cricket supporters in and around Maidstone will embrace this new form of cricket and remain confident we will introduce cricket to many who have never watched it before.”