Cricket World Cup Faces Weather Challenge in the US
Cricket fans are eagerly awaiting the final three T20 World Cup group games set to take place in the United States, but the event faces a significant challenge as tropical storms and flooding threaten the proceedings. The New York leg of the tournament concluded on Wednesday with India’s victory over the USA, and the action is now poised to shift to Lauderhill’s Central Broward Park in Florida.
With co-hosts USA, Ireland, Canada, and Pakistan still vying for a spot in the Super 8s alongside India, the stakes are high. However, the Sunshine State has been battered by torrential downpours, with more of the same forecast in the coming days.
The US National Weather Service has issued warnings for “excessive rainfall” on Friday morning, the same day the USA is scheduled to face Ireland (15:30 BST).
Groundstaff at Central Broward Park have been working tirelessly to prepare the venue, but neither Ireland nor the USA are likely to train outdoors before the crucial match.
The 25,000-capacity stadium, which opened in 2007, boasts impressive drainage facilities, and the organizers remain optimistic that the games can go ahead if the weather cooperates. Unfortunately, Sri Lanka’s fixture against Nepal on June 11 at the same ground was abandoned without a ball being bowled.
It is highly unlikely that the International Cricket Council will move the remaining fixtures to another venue at such short notice, as the logistics would be challenging. Cricket enthusiasts are keeping a close eye on the weather forecasts, hoping that the final group games can be played as scheduled and the tournament can continue to captivate audiences.
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