Kent head coach Matt Walker reacts as first day of opening 2024 County Championship Division 1 match of the season against Somerset gets washed out

The first day of Kent’s 2024 season was washed out without a ball being bowled on Friday.

It means Kent fans will have to wait a little while longer for the first action at Canterbury this summer, as Matt Walker’s men play host to Somerset in County Championship Division 1.

With the outfield saturated by heavy overnight rain and inclement weather over the past few days, it was considered there was no realistic prospect of the conditions improving enough despite the rain abating. The umpires decided to pull the plug at 1.40pm.

Head coach Walker said: “It’s a bit anti-climatic, I suppose.

“It’s frustrating at any stage of the season when you lose a day to rain - none more so than day one of a new season.

“Everyone is raring to go.

“Pre-season is out the way, winter is out the way, all the good work has been done and everyone is itching to get going.

“I think actually we kind of expected that result, having walked across the outfield at 8am this morning.

“It looked pretty unplayable for the whole of the day.

“Sure enough, I think the sensible decision was made.

“But you just feel like a coiled spring hasn’t been released yet for the lads. They’re so desperate to get going.

“We’re not the only ones from the looks of it around the country - I think there’s a lot in the same position - and there’s nothing we can do about it.

“That’s the way it is. You can’t fight that (the weather), unfortunately, but we’ll come back tomorrow and see how we get on.”

The forecast for Saturday is significantly better and 104 overs are scheduled, with an 11am start.

Lunch will be at 1.10pm and tea will be scheduled for 4pm.