Proposals to ban watering sports grounds threaten to throw the cricket calendar into chaos.

Sussex County Cricket Club issued the warning after yesterday's decision by Southern Water to ask the Government to ban pitch-watering along with a string of other "nonessential" water uses this summer.

Southern Water, which is already operating a hosepipe ban in Sussex and Kent, said serious shortages could occur in the drought-hit counties unless action was taken to preserve resources.

The company is also seeking to curb the watering of parks and allotments, the filling of privately-owned swimming pools and even the washing of cars for reasons other than safety or hygiene.

The county cricket club said watering pitches in the summer was essential to maintaining safe conditions for players.

It vowed to lobby for an exemption to any ban.

Hugh Griffiths, the club's chief executive, said: "We are very concerned about this.

"Maintaining the conditions of pitches and playing surfaces is absolutely critical to us.

"Without water the grass growth is marginal and we wouldn't be able to play the 50 days of cricket on our fixture list from April to September.

"The whole professional sport would be put under a big question mark."

The South-East is in the grip of the driest period in the last 100 years.

Reservoirs at Bewl Water, on the Kent Sussex border near Tunbridge Wells, and Weir Wood, near Forest Row, reached their all-time lowest levels last autumn and are still well below normal levels.

Underground sources are also significantly depleted and reaching historically low levels after two back-to-back dry winters.

Andy Watson, Southern Water's director of operations, said: "The exceptionally low rainfall levels, which have continued since November 2004, mean further emergency action to reduce water use is needed to help conserve vital supplies.

"Bringing in further restrictions on the use of water for activities that are not essential will help to ensure we have enough water available for our customers to drink and for their everyday household needs, such as cooking, washing and cleaning."

The Government will hear Southern Water's application for a drought order, something which has not been used since 1989, at two hearings next month before deciding which restrictions it will permit.

If successful the company is expected to impose the restrictions in May for the duration of the summer.

The water industry and Environment Agency yesterday launched a new website, beatthedrought.com, to explain what is being done to preserve water supplies and featuring tips on how to avoid wasting water.