Image source, Getty Images
- author, Timothy Abraham
- role, BBC sports reporter in New York
Tropical storms and flooding have put the final three group matches of the T20 World Cup in the United States at risk, but it is highly unlikely that the organisers will move the games from Florida.
The tournament in New York ended on Wednesday with India’s win over the United States, with the match now scheduled to move to Central Broward Park in Lauderhill.
There are three matches remaining in Group A, with co-hosts USA, Ireland, Canada and Pakistan all vying for a place in the Super 8 alongside India.
The National Weather Service issued a warning of “excessive rainfall” for Friday morning (15:30 BST), the day the United States is scheduled to play Ireland.
Grounds staff at Central Broward Park removed the covers and began the drying process on Thursday, but neither Ireland nor the United States are likely to train outdoors before the match.
The 25,000-seat stadium, which opened in 2007, has good drainage and organisers are optimistic the tournament can go ahead, provided the weather is fine.
The only other match scheduled to be played at the Lauderhill ground, Sri Lanka against Nepal on June 11, was called off without a ball being bowled.
It seems highly unlikely that the International Cricket Council would move the remaining matches to alternative venues at such short notice.
How will rain affect people reaching the Super 8?
The U.S. has won two of its three matches and is the favorite to enter the Super 8 in second place.
A win against Ireland on Friday would make their remaining two games irrelevant.
Likewise, if no play is made in that match, the United States will finish with five points and no other team lower than the United States in the group can beat that total.
If Ireland wins, Ireland, Pakistan or Canada could surpass the United States in net points percentage.
Canada and India are scheduled to play on Saturday, while Pakistan will face Ireland on Sunday.
