Storm Dave Causes Damage to Durham Cricket Ground

A powerful storm has damaged the Durham cricket stadium, forcing the abandonment of the third day of the County Championship Division Two match against Kent. Strong winds toppled a scaffolding platform and disrupted the grounds, with a wheeled cover ending up in the stands. The wet pitch, caused by the removal of the covers, led to the cancellation of the day's play. Despite spectators being allowed back into the ground, no cricket was played. The visiting coach described the scene as resembling a war zone, with a significant amount of water on the wicket. The teams are currently waiting for the weather to improve, with Durham leading Kent by 221 runs in the season opener. The storm has brought heavy rain, snow, and strong winds to parts of the UK, with yellow warnings in place. The County Championship season has just begun, with Essex registering the first victory of the season by beating Hampshire. Durham is set to host several senior England matches this summer, including a women's ODI against New Zealand and men's games against India and Sri Lanka.