CHESTER-LE-STREET — Storm Dave damaged the Riverside cricket ground at Chester-le-Street, forcing the cancellation of the third day of the County Championship Division Two match between Durham and Kent without a ball being bowled after water got onto the pitch. Gusts of 70 mph hit the Riverside ground overnight, toppling scaffolding and scattering debris across the venue.

Scaffolding holding one of the sightscreens at the Finchale End of the ground blew down during the storm. The fallen scaffolding platform damaged fencing and was left lying across a section of seating in the stands. One of the wheeled covers was also displaced by the wind and ended up lying on its back in the East Stand.

Workers spent the morning clearing debris at the ground. The debris included a large scaffolding structure and a wheeled cover that had been blown into one of the stands. Scaffolders were taking apart the fallen scaffolding platform piece by piece as they worked to restore the venue. Despite the cleanup progress, water remained present on the track, preventing any play from taking place on the scheduled third day of the four-day match.

Spectators were allowed into the ground just after 13:00 BST, though the day's play had already been called off. Stadium staff said they will be able to put something in place to help the batsmen, addressing the loss of the sightscreen that had been mounted on the now-collapsed scaffolding at the Finchale End.

Durham will resume at 83-2 in their second innings on Monday, the fourth and final day of the match. Durham lead Kent by 221 runs. The north-east county was relegated from Division One last summer and is competing in Division Two this season.

Storm Dave caused widespread disruption to road and rail travel in northern areas and led to numerous flood warnings being issued. Yellow wind warnings covering Scotland, north-west Wales, and parts of northern England were lifted on Sunday morning, and conditions were expected to ease as Sunday progressed.