Rain wreaks havoc at cricket tournament
Torrential rain in Toronto, Canada, has reduced the regional Under-19 Cricket World Cup qualifying tournament to a single round-robin event.For the third straight day rain wreaked havoc on the triangular tournament, with the 50-over contest between USA and hosts Canada being called off due to the inclement weather that has settled over the Maple Leaf Cricket Club in King City.Earlier this week, Bermuda’s match with USA was abandoned in the second innings while their game with Canada never got started after a severe overnight storm flooded the pitch.Bermuda were wobbling at eight for two in reply to USA’s 194 all out when rain halted proceedings.Despite the bad weather, Bermuda’s cricketers have remained in good spirits, Bermuda Cricket Board (BCB) Chief Executive Neil Speight told The Royal Gazette.“I am pleased at the positive and mature manner that our squad is handling the adverse weather,” he said. “The squad is in good spirits and anxious to compete for the prize of a World Cup spot next year.“The squad have had the benefit of some sport psychology presentations and completed a yoga/stretching session this morning. Hopefully Mother Nature will provide more fitting weather over the next four days."Bermuda are scheduled to face USA again tomorrow, weather permitting.The eventual winners of the tournament will advance to next year’s Under -9 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).Bermuda last appeared at the Under-19 World Cup in Malaysia in 2008.Accompanying Bermuda’s squad in Canada are interim coach Irving Romaine, manager Terry Fray and physio Craig Brown.Former senior national team skipper Romaine was appointed as interim caretaker after Under-19 head coach Clevie Wade became unavailable due to conflicting commitments.