Rarely is a match taking place in the World Cup without intervention from the rain. The first of the Super 8 matches is now carried over on Wednesday. The covering of wickets with tarpaulin sheets seems to be most unsatisfactory to me, given that we are in the 21st century!
I would have thought that when this tournament was assigned to the West Indies, the ICC would have insisted upon/funded box covers like we see at English Test grounds.
When these sheets are finally in place - hardly at the click of a finger - water just falls on the sheets. With proper covers, there are hoses which drain water on to the outfield away from the wicket. With the tarpaulin versions much water is unsatisfactorily spilled on the square! Seeing some of the operatives trying to work the 'water hog' also gives cause for concern.
I am amazed the ICC didn't put down some firm regulations on governance with this practice in mind?

I am amazed the ICC didn't put down some firm regulations on governance with this practice in mind?

Do you mean the same ICC that have just organised a tournament in the Caribbean in the middle of their rainy season?
(Although I concede that was probably better than in the hurricane season).

On further reflection, the same ICC are presumably also responsible for the ticket pricing structure; which is way above what the local population can afford, resulting in half full (if lucky) stadiums.

I also remember the tournament they arranged here in mid to late September 2004; with 10:15 starts in the Morning dew, and 19:45 finishes in the pitch dark.

Some excellent cricket and full value for money (a bonus in itself, in that it was normally after season had ended); but why didn't they install floodlights at the three venues, and start later to reduce the farce element.

Yes, the cricket prices had passed me by and I've just heard a discussion during a lunch interval of a WI's match where locals have again stayed away. The ticket prices are high and don't reflect the local incomes, thus the Caribbean contingent is voting with its feet - and I don't blame them Lara!

From what I've read it looks like the price to stand or sit on the grass at a "Super 8" match is 25 US dollars; and for a seat 50 dollars, and the average weekly wage in Guyana is somewhere in between the two.

I've been enjoying reading the blogs on the BBC website.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/tms/2007/03/malinga_brings_fireworks_for_g_1.shtml

& PGF / Back as required.

I think people are more interested in TV's, so poor lara has to blame TVcable/satellite tv.