Bangladesh-Sri Lanka washout sets World Cup record

Published June 11, 2019
Groundkeepers brush water from the covers as rain delays the start of play ahead of the 2019 Cricket World Cup group stage match between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka at Bristol County Ground in Bristol, southwest England on June 11. — AFP
Groundkeepers brush water from the covers as rain delays the start of play ahead of the 2019 Cricket World Cup group stage match between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka at Bristol County Ground in Bristol, southwest England on June 11. — AFP

Sri Lanka's World Cup match against Bangladesh was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to rain in Bristol on Tuesday.

The umpires' decision left tournament organisers with the unwanted record for the most number of abandoned games at a World Cup, surpassing the two each at the 1992 tournament in Australia and New Zealand and the 2003 edition in southern Africa.

It was the second successive World Cup match at Bristol that had fallen victim to bad weather, with Sri Lanka's group game against Pakistan at southwest county Gloucestershire's headquarters on Friday another no-result washout that did not witness a single delivery.

Rain has also been forecast for Wednesday's match between Australia and Pakistan in Taunton.

No reserve days have been scheduled for the 10-team round-robin stage, despite the well-known risks of rain during a British summer.

Asked whether there should be reserve days in the group phase, Bangladesh coach Steve Rhodes, a former England wicket-keeper, said: “Yes, I would (have them).

“I know logistically it would have caused problems. But we can put a man on the moon, so if we have to travel a day later, so be it.”

Only one of three World Cup matches scheduled to take place in Bristol produced any play, champions Australia launching their title defence with a seven-wicket victory over outsiders Afghanistan.

Heavy overnight and early morning rain delayed the scheduled 10:30am local time (0930 GMT) start of Tuesday's match.

And with rain continuing to fall, the umpires — after several inspections — bowed to the inevitable by calling the game off at 1:57pm (1257 GMT).

Both sides received a point for the washout.

It was the second World Cup no-result in as many days after rain meant only 7.3 overs were possible in the match between South Africa and the West Indies in Southampton on Monday.

Opinion

Editorial

Geopolitical games
Updated 18 Dec, 2024

Geopolitical games

While Assad may be gone — and not many are mourning the end of his brutal rule — Syria’s future does not look promising.
Polio’s toll
18 Dec, 2024

Polio’s toll

MONDAY’s attacks on polio workers in Karak and Bannu that martyred Constable Irfanullah and wounded two ...
Development expenditure
18 Dec, 2024

Development expenditure

PAKISTAN’S infrastructure development woes are wide and deep. The country must annually spend at least 10pc of its...
Risky slope
Updated 17 Dec, 2024

Risky slope

Inflation likely to see an upward trajectory once high base effect tapers off.
Digital ID bill
Updated 17 Dec, 2024

Digital ID bill

Without privacy safeguards, a centralised digital ID system could be misused for surveillance.
Dangerous revisionism
Updated 17 Dec, 2024

Dangerous revisionism

When hatemongers call for digging up every mosque to see what lies beneath, there is a darker agenda driving matters.