Most of the 70,000 that live on the 108- square mile Island of Antigua welcomed the heavy rain that fell all day yesterday, since the prolonged dry period on the island was affecting the Agriculture Sector and causing a limited water supply.

However, for the Antigua and Barbuda cricket team which turned up at the ARG yesterday for their encounter against the UWI, it was a frustrating day as they had to settle for two points after the game was called off at 1:00pm without a ball being bowled.

Antigua and Barbuda, fresh from their upset win against defending champions Barbados, were confident of taking four points from the weakest team in the zone and advancing to 12 points with their third consecutive win.

That was not to be as heavy rain in St. Johns, which began from the night before, had the final say as both teams collected two points.

This is the hurricane period here in Antigua and the forecast was for more rain last night and today and the possibility of flash flooding.

Today is a rest day and it is hoped that the weather improves in time for the penultimate game tomorrow between Barbados and the West Indies under-19 team to be played.

Guyana, who need to beat Antigua and Barbuda on Sunday in the last round to qualify for the semi-finals in Jamaica, is hoping for no rain on Sunday since nothing less than victory will ensure that they travel North instead of South next week Monday.

The Antigua and Barbuda camp, though disappointed with the washed-out match yesterday, which robbed them of an almost certain win, is confident of beating Guyana on Sunday in what could be the biggest game in the zone.

The Guyana team is hoping to get some practice today ahead of Sunday’s game after their lack-lustre performance against Barbados on Wednesday.

According to the Guyana camp plans which were made before the game were not carried out on the field against the Bajans as Chanderpaul’s captaincy was again questioned.

Phillip Spooner, reporting for the Barbados Nation had this to say in yesterday’s issue of that newspaper.

“Guyana captain Shivnarine Chanderpaul again looked out of his depth, with questionable field placing and mind-boggling bowling changes. This Guyana team looked disorganized throughout and the body language of several senior players left a lot to be desired.”

Guyana will need a big improvement in their ‘must- win’ game against a confident home team hungry for the taste of a place in the final four for the first time since making their debut at this level in 2001.

UWI, because of the strange points system by the WICB to award a team a point for a loss, ended the competition with five points without achieving a win which again questioned their inclusion in the premier regional one-day competition. The UWI team, with 10 Barbadians in their 14-man squad, was scheduled to depart Antigua today after failing to win any of their four games.

Antigua head the points table with 10 points followed by Barbados (9), Guyana (9) and the West Indies under-19 (6). Each of these four teams have one match remaining.