Joe Denly signs autographs for fans at the Nevill. Picture: Barry Goodwin

By Andrew Gidley

Tunbridge Wells Cricket Club chairman Steve Green believes The Nevill is worthy of staging more high-profile matches in the future.

Bumper crowds saw this year’s Festival Week prove a big success, and Mr Green believes they can continue to thrive.

The county’s decision to stage a Friends Provident t20 "home" game against Essex at The Brit Oval next month has created contrasting opinions from members and supporters.

Canterbury are also staging three matches, including Friday's visit of Middlesex Panthers, and Beckenham two games.

But the other home match was at Tunbridge Wells on Wednesday when a full house of around 6,000 saw Sussex Sharks beat the Spitfires in the final over.

Mr Green said: "It’s always quite an honour to stage Kent cricket and the crowds have been good.

"I think we could stage a four-day game starting on a Wednesday and two Twenty 20 games with a couple of days in between.

"Festival cricket helps promote the game to a wider audience and the fan-base we have in West Kent will always create a big following because getting to Tunbridge Wells is easier than Canterbury."

Wells might well miss out in the future if the ECB go ahead with plans to reduce County Cricket, the consultation period for which ended last week.