Rain casts gloom on both camps before St. Lucia ODIs

A forecast that predicts more rain over the weekend in St. Lucia is the last thing that anyone wanted to hear. England need the cricket to help formulate long-term one-day international policy, while the West Indies are desperate for some play to lessen the impact on faltering finances as much as anything else. The Test series might have been riveting, but the one-dayers have been to nobody's satisfaction and, with the prospects for this weekend bleak, the situation could yet get worse.

The rain is being described throughout the Caribbean as "unseasonal". It might be, but it is also very wet. It has done nothing to help Duncan Fletcher and his management team draw any firm conclusions about the best one-day team for England as they move towards the World Cup of 2007, while the weather has also robbed the party of any chance to familiarise themselves with conditions in World Cup venues. Not only have there been problems in the Caribbean, where 76 overs have been bowled out of a potential 400 so far, but before Christmas, two matches in Sri Lanka were washed out as well.

It means that someone like Anthony McGrath has been denied the chance to seal his place in a batting order that appears open to new, forceful blood. The Yorkshireman might have been able to provide it but has been denied the chance because, despite travelling to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka before the Caribbean, he has not played a one-day international since hitting the winning runs in the NatWest Series final victory against South Africa. That was at Lord's in July 2003.

"If you look at McGrath, who hasn't played a game all winter, it's very frustrating for these guys to come out here and put all the work in and not get to do what they've really come out here for," Fletcher said.

"We're trying to give them games under their belts and as quickly as possible, but it's just not happening on this tour. I've always said it takes about 30 games to become comfortable at this level and that's definitely not happening.

"It's been difficult for every one of those guys who have missed out. We want to have a look at them in a 50-overs game and a proper 50-overs game that runs the full length and then you can actually see what kind of players they are.

"It's important that they play some cricket, but each person who is not playing is cover for someone. If we get an injury or a stomach bug, which can happen on a tour, we will need someone to replace them. We can't start sending people home. We're on tour and we just have to put up with what is going on here, but we wanted to look at the players and give them experience."

Meanwhile the West Indies are left counting the cost of abandonments in financial terms. They have had to give full refunds to everyone purchasing tickets for the last three matches and even partial insurance cover does not make up for the whole loss. The West Indies Board relies on gate receipts for income more than other places where television contracts are the most lucrative sources of income, and England tours with vast numbers of travelling spectators always represent a chance for the WICB to fill their coffers. This time it is estimated that the loss stands at US$1m - a figure that could grow if bad weather causes further cancellations.

There are now concerns about the 2007 World Cup, with the International Cricket Council meeting in St. Lucia this weekend. It has been suggested that they should consider moving the tournament forward by some weeks in order to avoid similar weather at the same time of year. Having said that, this is usually when hot, dry weather can be guaranteed and the rain should not arrive until the end of May, or even June. As the locals say, this weather is unseasonal. As the England party will tell you, it does not make it any more acceptable.