Rain causing Caribbean headache

Monsoonal rain in St Lucia has caused a Women's World T20 match to be abandoned for the first time and raised the possibility of future matches being moved to Antigua.

England's first group match against Sri Lanka was washed out without a ball being bowled before the scheduled start of play on Saturday, after days of heavy rain had left the surface of Darren Sammy Stadium saturated. 

Further heavy rain is forecast for the next week, bringing with it the very real possibility of little or no cricket being possible in the remaining Group A matches.

One game has been completed in the group after West Indies defeated Bangladesh in Sri Lanka on Friday, but the remaining matches are all scheduled in St Lucia. 

The International Cricket Council is reportedly considering the possibility of moving some games to Antigua, which will host the semi-finals and final later this month, although no formal discussions are believed to have taken place.

Any move would not impact Australia's fixture, with all of their Group B games to be played at Guyana's Providence Stadium.

England captain Heather Knight, speaking after the wash out, said it was a possibility worth consideration.

"If it meant we got the games in, then potentially, yeah," Knight said. 

"It hasn't obviously stopped raining since we've arrived. We're hopeful that it will stop raining, but if that's an option, it's up to the ICC to decide, obviously, not me."

Relocating matches would be a massive undertaking, dependent on broadcasters, accommodation, charter flights and facilities in Antigua.

England's first warm-up against Australia was washed out in Antigua, before they completed a second practice game against India in Guyana.

Since their arrival in St Lucia they haven't so much as been able to train outdoors.

"Obviously today is very frustrating," Knight said. 

"It's the wettest outfield I think I've ever seen in my career, and I was chatting to Danni Hazell back there, and we were saying she's played for 10 years and she's only ever missed, I think this will be her second full day that's been wiped out. 

"We're hopeful we can get some cricket in. The forecast obviously isn't ideal."

The next matches scheduled for St Lucia are for Monday (Tuesday AEDT) with England to meet Bangladesh and South Africa to play Sri Lanka. 

2018 ICC Women's World T20  

Australia squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Nicole Bolton, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy (wk), Jess Jonassen, Delissa Kimmince, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Elyse Villani, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham

November 9: Australia beat Pakistan by 52 runs

November 11: Australia v Ireland, Province Stadium

November 13: Australia v New Zealand, Province Stadium

November 17: Australia v India, Province Stadium

November 22: Semi-finals, Sir Vivian Richards Ground, Antigua

November 24: Final, Sir Vivian Richards Ground