Highlights, Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka, ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 Match, Full Cricket Score: Match called off without single ball bowled

Steve Rhodes, B’desh coach: Disappointing for us as we thought we could get two points in this game. We know Sri Lanka would have pushed us hard but we feel like we missed out on one point. I would have preferred a reserve day but having said that it would have been tough for the organizers but it would have been possible. We put men on moon these days.

Dimuth Karunaratne, Sri Lanka captain: We came here to compete. We don’t want any free points. We want to play and fight for our points. Disappointed two of our games got rained out. Massive game coming up on Saturday against the Aussies. Looking forward for it. By the time we play Australia it will be 11 days since our last game. It’s tough but we will compete. It would have been better had there been reserve days but when you play nine games it is tough to have reserve days.

Perhaps, looking at the overhead conditions umpires had no option but to call off the game. The intensity of the rain was heavy and the groundsmen felt that they cannot make this ground ready before the official cut off time, even if the rain stops. This is an unfortunate scenario the energetic fans, who came here to cheer for their respective teams. Not the ideal result this for Bangladesh. They were the clear favourites to win this game.

Sri Lanka versus Bangladesh World  Cup game at Bristol has been abandoned.

The umpires are currently inspecting the field.

Plenty of drama happening as far as the Afghanistan cricket team is concerned, with Mohammad Shahzad not taking the board’s decision to send him back due to fitness concerns very well, even going to the extent of saying he’ll quit the sport. Read the full report here .

The intensity of the rain has increased a little. Now, I am concerned because the official cut off time for 20-over fixture is 16.15 local time and the rain needs to stop completely at least an hour before to provide the groundsmen enough time to prepare the field of play for action. But at this point, things look very gloomy here.

After 25 years in and around the 22 yards and almost 17 years of international cricket, one of India’s most celebrated and decorated cricketers Yuvraj Singh announced his retirement from all forms on Monday. Here’s his retirement statement

Just had a stroll around the ground. The mild drizzle is still on. But the groundsmen are doing their best to keep the ground as dry as possible. Personally, I am still hopeful of having some play today. But for that the rain has to stop completely.

As the rain continues to pour in Bristol, check out what Bangladesh bowling coach the great Courtney Walsh has to say

"I try to make sure that the guys are comfortable and relaxed"

📽️ @meljones_33 talks to @CuddyWalsh, Bangladesh's all-in-one man. pic.twitter.com/bEP9YlbQTB

— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) June 11, 2019

Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed unhappy with grassy pitch prepared for Australia clash, claims report

Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed is apparently not happy with the grassy pitch prepared for their World Cup match against defending champions Australia at Taunton on Wednesday. Read the full report here .

Inspection scheduled for 12:15 local time has been postponed announces the official scorer. It started raining again in Bristol and the hopes of the game getting underway is fading away.

Something not to be missed. Ganguly speaking on selecting just-retired Yuvraj Singh for ICC Champions Trophy, 2000.

Bad news for Australia now

BREAKING: Australia's Marcus Stoinis has been ruled out of tomorrow's #CWC19 game against Pakistan with a side strain. Mitchell Marsh has flown over to the UK as cover, though Stoinis remains part of the squad for now. pic.twitter.com/c475unsJ3F

— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) June 11, 2019

Update: The rain has stopped, just a few drops here and there. The groundsmen have already started working on the field of play. We will have an inspection at 12.30 PM local time.

Ground staff hard at work to get some play underway. 

Inspection at 4.45 pm (IST)

An inspection will take place at 12:15pm local time (4.45 pm IST) informs the official scorer here in Bristol.

It is still drizzling here. Also, there is a strong wind as well. However, the forecast has improved for the later half of the day. After 13.00 local time, the rain is expected to ease off. So, we might get a shortened game today in Bristol. The Sri Lankans won’t mind this I guess.

Pictures coming in from Bristol, where it still looks bleak at the moment. Here’s hoping the situation improves, and we actually get a contest at the County Ground today. 

“You would rather get the point and go”

Rain hasn’t been very kind to the organisers so far in the ICC World Cup 2019, with the Pakistan-Sri Lanka and South Africa-West Indies matches getting washed out, the latter on Monday at Southampton. South Africa Faf du Plessis though, says he’d rather pick a washout over facing the Caribbean side in a shortened game. Read his post-match quotes here .

Is this World Cup going to be remembered for rain interruptions?  

#CCWorldCup2019 #CWC19 #INDvNZ

Word just in from Trent Bridge: The Indian cricket team's practice has been cancelled due to rain. Thursday's game set to be hit too.

— Jamie Alter 🇮🇳 (@alter_jamie) June 11, 2019

Rex shares some trivia from the press box

Sri Lanka were involved in a bit of history here in Bristol. They featured in the first ever ODI that Bristol hosted way back in the 1983 World Cup. Ranjan Madugalle, currently one of ICC Match Referees posted the first half-century in Bristol. New Zealand went onto win the game by five wickets. Gloucestershire play their home games here in Bristol. Two Sri Lankans – Muttiah Muralitharan and Malinga Bandara were the county’s overseas signings.

No one’s happy with the WC it seems

Yesterday, Southampton, SA vs WI - Washout.
Today, Bristol, BAN vs SL - Probably washed out.
Tomorrow, Taunton, AUS vs PAK - 50% chance of rain.
Thursday, Nottingham, IND vs NZ - 80% chance of rain.
Nonsense World Cup.

— Ramesh Srivats (@rameshsrivats) June 11, 2019

Malinga is expected back in the UK ahead of Sri Lanka’s next game against Australia on Saturday. Meanwhile, it has started raining again in Bristol and the inspection scheduled for 10:30 (3 pm IST) has been delayed.

Lasith Malinga will fly home to attend mother-in-law’s funeral

Sri Lanka’s pace ace Lasith Malinga will fly home for his mother-in-law’s funeral after Sri Lanka’s World Cup match against Bangladesh on Tuesday but the team is confident he will be back to face Australia at The Oval on Saturday. “He is expected to join the team before the next World Cup game, which will be played against Australia on 15th,” SLC said in a statement. Read full report here.

Looks like the rain has eased off a bit. But I can see wet patches on the field of play. If there is no more rain then I am expecting an inspection soon. So let’s keep our fingers crossed.

I don’t have good news from Bristol. It has been raining here since yesterday evening and it doesn’t look like stopping anytime soon. The toss has been delayed. Remember, the previous match over here between Pakistan and Sri Lanka was washed out as well. And today is the last match of the World Cup in this city but the forecast is not very encouraging. Such an unfortunate scenario this has been for the local cricket fans.

Toss delayed

The inspection will take place at 10.30 local time (about 40 minutes from now), says our man from the ground.

Sri Lanka versus Bangladesh could be another wash out. Bad weather has severely affected World Cup games here in England and Wales and today’s Sri Lanka versus Bangladesh fixture could be another wash out here in Bristol. The rains have ceased but the forecast for the rest of the day is not so good. Wet outfield could delay the toss and showers are expected later in the day. Both teams probably have to be satisfied with one point each and their semi-finals hopes are slowly vanishing. Sri Lanka’s last week fixture here in Bristol also was a washout.

Huge blow for India!

India’s World Cup campaign received a major jolt on Tuesday with in-form opener Shikhar Dhawan being ruled out of action for three weeks. According to a report in India Today, Dhawan, who scored a sublime ton against Australia in India’s 36-run win on Sunday (9 June) was hit on his left thumb during his innings against Australia, but continued to bat.

Read the full report here .

Hello and welcome to Firstpost’s coverage of ICC Cricket World Cup where Bangladesh face Sri Lanka in Bristol. Stay tuned for LIVE scores and updates.