Much of the New Road outfield was covered in standing water

The hosts insisted on playing the match at New Road despite heavy flooding and declined Kent's request to move it.

"The decision that it would be fit for first-class cricket was taken in good faith but was highly optimistic," the England and Wales Cricket Board said.

Meanwhile, Worcestershire's Pro40 game against Hampshire on Friday has been switched from New Road to Derby.

New Road was hit by heavy flooding two weeks before the Championship game and, despite frantic efforts from groundstaff and volunteers, the game was called off on day three by the umpires after consultation with the ECB.

Kent, looking for points to move clear of the relegation zone in Division One, were unhappy at Worcestershire's insistence on playing at their main ground.

The fact that other venues were available but that the Championship match had not been relocated unfairly penalised Kent ECB statement

Kidderminster and Beckenham were offered as alternatives but Pears chief executive Mark Newton held firm and maintained he had no regrets after the abandonment.

He said the need to ensure the Hants game went ahead - and guarantee television revenue to offset losses of around �170,000 caused by other recent matches being called off - was paramount.

But the ECB ruled: "The fact that other venues were available but that the Championship match had not been relocated had unfairly penalised Kent when there was good cause, one week before the fixture, to believe the New Road ground would probably be unfit for the originally scheduled date.

"The board recognised the exceptional circumstances and the severe financial issues caused to Worcestershire by the flooding and the importance of the Pro40 floodlit match."

The rescheduled match will take place between July 30 and August 3 with a day's break on 2 August because Worcestershire will take on Essex in a Pro40 game at Chelmsford.

Worcestershire have also been told that they should "prepare contingency plans" if New Road cannot host the Championship game against Lancashire starting on 20 July.