BRISTOL, England (Reuters) – Sri Lanka’s World Cup game against Bangladesh was abandoned yesterday without a ball bowled, as a record third match in the tournament was called off due to rain.

Heavy overnight and early morning rain dashed hopes of a scheduled start of play at 10.30hrs (0930 GMT) as covers remained on the pitch and square in Bristol.
As many as three pitch inspections had to be called off at different stages, before the game was eventually abandoned at 13.55hrs.

Fewer than eight overs were bowled before West Indies and South Africa shared a point each in a washed-out game at Southampton on Monday.
The previous highest number of abandoned games in a World Cup edition was two, in 1992 and 2003.

Rain is forecast for today’s match between Australia and Pakistan at Taunton, and also tomorrow at Trent Bridge, where India are due to take on New Zealand.
Bangladesh coach Steve Rhodes, who played 11 Tests and nine one-dayers for England, questioned the logic behind not including reserve days for the league stage of the tournament.

“We put men on the moon so why can’t we have a reserve day?” joked Rhodes.
“I know that it would have been difficult, but we have got quite a lot of time in-between games, and if we have got to travel a day later, then so be it.”

Sri Lanka, who already had a game called off against Pakistan in Bristol last week, now have four points in four games, while Bangladesh remain in the bottom half of the standings with three points.

Although the result takes Sri Lanka to fifth in the standings, captain Dimuth Karunaratne said his team would have rather taken to the field and built on their victory over Afghanistan last week.

“We want to play cricket, win games and gain the points,” he told reporters.
“I think the last game we played, till the Australian game (on Saturday), it will be a gap of 11 days.
“So I think we need to prepare for the games, after winning, and we need momentum for that game.”

Sri Lanka seamer Lasith Malinga is flying home for his mother-in-law’s funeral, but he is expected to return for Saturday’s game against Australia at The Oval.
Bangladesh face West Indies in their next match at Taunton on Monday.