'Absolute farce': Unwanted history made in World Cup 'disaster'
England's 2019 World Cup is officially the wettest in history, with an unprecedented third game abandoned without a ball being bowled on Thursday.
Only two weeks into the tournament, India's washout with New Zealand at Trent Bridge marked the third time rain had completely washed away play for the day.
Prior to this year's World Cup in England, just two matches in the tournament's history had been abandoned before play began.
One of those came in 2015 when Australia and Bangladesh didn't make the field in Brisbane, while the other was way back in 1979.
Wednesday's washout means New Zealand remain on top with three wins, and India third with two. Australia remain second.
Comparatively, the rain can lay claim to four results, with South Africa and the West Indies also drawing on Monday after they managed just 7.3 overs before play had to be called off.
The four draws is also the most, overtaking the two in both 1992 and 2003.
Worryingly for organisers, there's no guarantee it will end.
Of the eight games through to next Thursday, only three are scheduled for days where rain is not predicted at the venue.
Australia's clash with Sri Lanka at The Oval is one of those predicted to be played in dry conditions, although the long-term forecast for Australia's game against Bangladesh next Thursday at Trent Bridge is not good.
The weather has prompted team officials - including Bangladesh coach Steve Rhodes - to question why reserve days weren't put into the draw in a country renowned for wet weather.
But ICC chief David Richardson claimed it would have been logistically too difficult and that the weather was "unseasonable" following a hot 2018.
"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.
"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."
Sri Lanka have been the most affected team, with two of their matches washed out against Pakistan and Bangladesh.
Abandoned games at men's World Cups
Before #CWC19: 2 out of 402 games
At #CWC19: 3 out of 18 games 😭🌧https://t.co/1sz0J0bFkz #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/EhcXMN6Pse— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) June 13, 2019
This is becoming waaaay too familiar 😔#INDvNZ #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/SXaLm9pnV9
— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) June 13, 2019
This ICC World Cup has become a farce !! So far 4 matches have been washed out completely !!
— Guru Prasad Seshadrinathan (@sgp_guru) June 13, 2019
This Cricket World Cup is quickly becoming a farce! Who would hold a World Cup for a sport that cant be played in rain, in the UK? Anyway, roll on Wimbledon...🙄 #CWC19
— Steven Towler (@Steven_Towler) June 13, 2019
This World Cup is turning into a farce- who decided to have the tournament in England during the rainy season ? #indvsNZ #CWC19
— Thavash (@Thavash) June 13, 2019
@ICC @cricketworldcup Absolute Farce of a World cup. Plz do think twice about hosting a world cup(truncated to 10 teams) in a country where the weather is notoriously fickle. The TV coverage has been pretty bland too. @ESPNcricinfo commentary team have been better than @SkySport
— Raj (@paradiselost282) June 13, 2019
Disaster worldcup fourth match has been abondened due to rain trophy has to be given to rain.😡😡 #WC19
— Muhammad Musa Khan (@Muhamma04630309) June 13, 2019
What an unmitigated disaster this world cup has been. https://t.co/fObg4l0sUp
— Col Wilson LFC (@RepublicOfAlba_) June 13, 2019
یہ ورلڈ کپ ڈوب چکا ہے۔
what a complete disaster. Icc must immediate reorganize the whole world cup again. Complete chaos... #WorldCup2019 #CWC #INDvsNZ #PakvsInd #Birmingham pic.twitter.com/n3GU5yQkbv— Darvesh Zuberi (@RNZub) June 13, 2019