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Weather forces change in cup format

Although the rain finally abated in Argentina yesterday, Americas Cup officials were left with no option to delay the six-nation cricket tournament for yet another day.

Waterlogged pitches meant that again no play was possible. Bermuda had been scheduled to meet the host nation.

With the first three rounds of matches all postponed, officials have decided to scrap both the semi-final and final and instead play a round robin competition.

Weather permitting, all six countries will play each other between now and Saturday. With better weather forecast for today, Bermuda are scheduled to meet Cayman Islands, seen as one of the weakest teams in the competition.

"Nothing happened today," reported Bermuda's tour manager Tom Wainwright from his hotel in Buenos Aires last night.

"They gave us a day off to allow the wickets to dry out, even though it was a good day.

"Hopefully we can kick off tomorrow (today) against the Cayman Islands."

Despite the frustrating delay, the Bermuda squad remain optimistic according to Wainwright who noted the players were utilising their time in the gym, shopping and indulging in light work-outs.

"Everyone is in good shape," he said. "We have been keeping focused. We have our evening meetings and pep talks to keep focused because the lay-off doesn't do you any good. We know we have to remain focused.

"We have been doing some things in the gym in addition to getting in some light work-outs."

With the loss of three days of play, Bermuda, as with all of the teams, face what will be a gruelling five-day schedule as organisers try to salvage the tournament.

Bermuda meet the Caymans today at Hurlingham and are slated to meet the Bahamas tomorrow.

On Thursday they face Canada, on Friday the United States and wind up the tournament against Argentina on Saturday.

Wainwright noted that young Jacobi Robinson had now recovered from a slight groin injury and could be considered for team selection.

"I think that the guys are ready to go. Everyone has been running about and they all appear fully fit," he added.

Canada, qualifiers for next year's cricket World Cup in South Africa following a third place finish at last summer's ICC Trophy in Toronto are considered the Americas Cup favourites, with the US also expected to challenge.