ICC had given logistical difficulties for not having reserve days in this World Cup | Getty
The ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup in England and Wales has already seen four rain-abandoned matches, and two days before the much-anticipated India versus Pakistan fixture, the forecast in Manchester is not looking promising at all.
As per a report published in Hindustan Times, Manchester received heavy showers on Saturday (June 15). The pitch was under the hover cover while the rest of the square was covered by sheets.
The good news was that sun peaked a few hours later and things started looking much brighter. The ground staff did their best to make sure that no water slips through and alters the pitch. Report also claims that it has rained every day this week in Manchester and yet, but the pitch still looks bare and dry thanks to the great work done by the curator and the support staff.
As far as Sunday’s forecast is concerned – there are light showers expected towards late afternoon. According to the weather forecasting website, Accuweather, a light shower is likely to interrupt the marquee clash between 12 PM local time and 1 PM local time at Old Trafford. The match starts at 10:30 AM local time.
Accuweather also suggests that the conditions will be overcast throughout the day and there will be brief spells of shower as the day progresses.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has come under the scanner for not having reserve days in this World Cup. However, Chief Executive David Richardson recently said it would have been a logistical nightmare to have reserve days in the group stages.
"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," Richardson said in a statement earlier this week.
"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."
