Persistent rain during the Florida leg of the T20 World Cup has cast a shadow over the upcoming Super 8 stage in the West Indies. All three group matches in Florida were abandoned due to rain, eliminating Pakistan from contention.
Weather forecasts for the Caribbean islands, which will host the Super 8 matches, offer little reassurance. Rain is predicted for nearly all the games scheduled across Barbados, St. Lucia, Antigua, and St. Vincent.
Fans of the Indian cricket team might be disappointed as the highly anticipated India vs. Australia match on June 24 carries a 50% chance of rain. The weather could also significantly impact matches involving title contenders Australia and England.
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Questioning Hosting Choice
The weather concerns raise questions about the ICC's decision to award hosting rights to the West Indies and the USA. In the 2010 T20 World Cup held in the West Indies, rain impacted several matches, including a washout between England and Ireland. So far, the 2024 tournament has already seen five rain-affected matches, including four washouts.
Venue-Specific Breakdown
Barbados: Kensington Oval in Bridgetown will host three Super 8 matches and the final. Except for the India vs. Afghanistan clash on June 20 (10-20% chance of rain), all other games have a significant rain threat, including the final (over 50% chance). However, the venue boasts excellent drainage, allowing for a quick resumption of play after brief rain interruptions.
St. Lucia: Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium will host three Super 8 matches, including the blockbuster India vs. Australia encounter on June 24. While England's matches on June 20 and 21 seem less likely to be affected, the India-Australia clash faces a 50% chance of rain. Unlike Barbados, St. Lucia lacks a full ground cover, potentially leading to delays due to a wet outfield.
Antigua: Sir Vivian Richards Stadium will stage four Super 8 matches. While rain played havoc with the England vs. Namibia match on June 15 due to a poor drainage system, the forecast for the upcoming games shows a moderate 20-25% chance of rain for each.
- St. Vincent: Arnos Vale Ground will host two Super 8 matches. Although rain didn't affect the group stage here, the forecast predicts a 52% chance of rain for the Australia vs. Afghanistan clash on June 23. Similar to St. Lucia, St. Vincent's partial ground cover could lead to delays if rain disrupts the match.
