Australian Tour match moved from flooded Worcester ground

Another rain-filled English summer is not just playing havoc with the World Cup but sending local officials scurrying to find grounds for the star-studded Australia A outfit to play on.

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The wettest World Cup on record has now impacted Australia A with its 50-over clash against Worcestershire next week relocated because of a flooded ground.

Tuesday’s match has been moved from New Road to Kidderminster, about 25km away, as constant downpours continue to put a dampener on the biggest summer of English cricket.

The Herald Sun has also seen photos of hot coals used to dry out a pitch at Derby County Ground, where Australia A is due to play on Sunday.

Flooded Worcester cricket ground in England where Australia A’s game was to be played.

It’s believed a barbecue was also used to recover that pitch before Ashes ace Jimmy Anderson took nine wickets on it in a County Cricket match earlier this week.

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Australia A captain Travis Head said Josh Hazlewoodand Sean Abbott were swinging the white balls at training as the World Cup back-up squad adapts to the slower English wickets.

Victorian prodigy Will Pucovski is in both Australia A squads (50-over and four-day games) as he pushes for a Test debut in the Ashes.

“He’s just been playing really, really good cricket,” Head said.

“It’s nice to get him an opportunity and he’ll play a great role. I’m excited to see him play. I only played one game against him this year and we didn’t look like getting him out.

“He’s a great, young talent.”

Pucovski, 21, was a shock inclusion in Australia’s most recent Test squad but he did not play in either match against Sri Lanka and flew home early for mental health reasons.

Australia A was due to play the first of five 50-over games against Northamptonshire overnight (Thursday night).

Head said his batting line-up boasted a mix power and tempo with openers Matthew Wade and D’Arcy Short complemented by Pete Handscomb, Kurtis Patterson and Mitchell Marsh.

Marsh and Ashton Agar returned to Australia A after briefly training with the World Cup squad this week.

Test captain Tim Paine is not in the Australia A 50-over squad, but is training with the camp to get a head start on his Ashes preparation.