Twenty20 event proves to be a real six-hit More than 10,000 cricket fans were treated to a spectacular two days’ action as first class cricket returned to Beckenham for the first time in nearly 50 years.

Kent lost their National Cricket League Division One match against Gloucester at Worsley Bridge Road but they bounced back in spectacular fashion in the new Twenty20 Cup the next day by hammering Hampshire.

Beckenham ground manager Stuart Whitehead was delighted with the success of both days and is looking forward to staging more fixtures next season.

He said: “I’ve had lots of emails and comments from people saying how they had a great day. It’s nice to have cricket in north west Kent again and it helped having the good weather.

“Both days proved that local people will go along and suppport and it can only go up and up from here. It all took a lot of hard work to organise in only six months.

“We thought about erceting a temporary stand but it would have cost £8,000 for 1,000 people. We had to weigh up the pros and cons and if we would have taken that option the ticket prices would have drastically increased. The cost for the use for just one week was not worth it.

“We will be developing the banks and improve other areas for next year. We already have plans to stage a cricket festival witha four-day game and two one-day matches.” The games were not only a hit with supporters but the players too, not least Andrew Symonds who scored 96 not out off just 37 balls in the Twenty20 victory against Hampshire.

Whitehead added: “The players were over the moon with the facilities. David Fulton and Symonds both said on BBC Radio Kent how pleased they were with the wicket.

“Symonds’ performance was one of those knocks that will stand in the memory for a long time. He hit a mammouth six into the Crystal Palace training ground next door. Also, Mark Ealham hit Wasim for six and not too many have done that.

“It was good to see the Ghurkas band at the interval and so many youngsters playing on the field and at the end. The good thing about the Twenty20 game is that youngsters can tolerate it, as there are lots of fours and sixes and it will encourage them into the longer games.” Kent want to develop their subsidery academy at Beckenham and coach local schoolchildren from across south London. Courses are planned for August.

But they need cash and are looking for a sponsor and/or a grant to fund state-of-the-art all-weather pitches along with a sponsor to pay for an electronic scorebox for next season’s first class games.

If you can help with sponsorship or are interested in going along to a coaching session, then call Stuart Whitehead on 020 8650 8444.