For the ICC in Sri Lanka this week it doesn’t rain, it pours.
And it’s not just monsoonal rain coming down to shorten World Twenty20 matches to World Sevens or even washouts, it’s a water-bottle drama that has engulfed the tournament.
The two-yearly event, being held in Sri Lanka for the first time, unfortunately coincides with the traditional opening of the monsoon season.
Already a match between South Africa and Sri Lanka in Hambantota was cut to seven overs per side.
West Indies, who had lost a rain-affected match against Australia last weekend, have qualified for the Super Eights but only after a washed-out clash with Ireland on Monday night.
Ireland made 6-129 off 19 overs before the heavens opened at Colombo’s Premadasa Stadium.
The forecast for the rest of the tournament is for worsening weather.
Sri Lanka have hosted one international series in the month of October since gaining full status in 1982.
The Champions Trophy final in Colombo in 2002 was affected by rain on both September 29 and the scheduled reserve day the next day, forcing the title to be shared by India and Sri Lanka.
The World T20 final is scheduled for October 7 in Colombo.
“This was the only period available in the Future Tours Program this year to conduct the tournament,” an ICC spokesman says.
“All the teams were aware of it.”
And while the ICC will be hoping desperately for clear skies, officials are also praying for an end to the series of gastro complaints that have swept through several teams.
New Zealand, South Africa and Australia have all been affected.
New Zealand’s Tim Southee received hospital treatment for dehydration.
Australia’s Mitchell Starc and Brad Hogg were isolated from the team last Thursday and skipped a training session but both recovered to play in Saturday night’s Group B win over West Indies in Colombo.
Following a query from at least one team about the possibility of ICC-supplied water bottles at match venues being the cause of the gastro problems, the ICC announced they were changing the supply of water bottles – will saying there was no evidence to suggest it was the cause.
The ICC has learnt some tough lessons in recent years.
The one-day World Cup of 2007 in the West Indies was too long and the crowd atmosphere was initially stifled by regulations.
The World T20 in the West Indies in 2010 was a more streamlined, upbeat tournament.
As yet this year’s World T20 hasn’t given off the same vibe.
