The International Cricket Council defended not having reserve days for the league games after the game between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh was washed out in Bristol on Tuesday (June 11).

Three matches, including Tuesday's clash between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh at Bristol, have been washed out this World Cup, making it the most in a single WC.

"We put men on the moon, so why can't we have a reserve day, when actually this tournament is a long tournament," Bangladesh coach Steve Rhodes said revealing his frustration. "I know logistically it would have been a big headache for the tournament organisers. 

I know that it would have been difficult, but we have got quite a lot of time in between games, and if we have got to travel a day later, then so be it.

"The games are spread out. I would say that it's disappointing for the crowd, as well. They have got tickets to see a game of cricket, and you know it would be up to them if they can get there the day after."

David Richardson, the CEO of the governing body - ICC, said several factors played a key role in the schedule not accommodating reserve days for each clash. "Factoring in a reserve day for every match at the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup would significantly increase the length of the tournament and practically would be extremely complex to deliver," he said.

"It would impact pitch preparation, team recovery and travel days, accommodation and venue availability, tournament staffing, volunteer and match officials availability, broadcast logistics and very importantly the spectators who in some instances have travelled hours to be at the game. There is also no guarantee that the reserve day would be free from rain either.

"Up to 1200 people are on site to deliver a match and everything associated with it including getting it broadcast and a proportion of them are moving around the country so reserve days in the group stage would require a significant uplift in the number of staff. We have reserve days factored in for the knock-out stages, knowing that over the course of 45 group games we should play the large majority."

The World Cup 2019 has seen three matches washed out so far with the Pakistan-Sri Lanka and South Africa-West Indies also not going the distance enough for even a curtailed match.

It has meant that the teams have shared points, and lost out on potential wins - something that is taken into account first should the teams be tied on points at the end of the league stage.

The weather could continue to play spoilsport for a few more games with India's clash against New Zealand and Australia's against Pakistan also under threat. The ICC and the teams themselves will hope that rain has played its last cards on the teams' fates on Tuesday and that the rest of the tournament will be rain free.

cricbuzz

BDST: 1214 HRS, JUNE 12, 2019
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