Napier, March 14 (IANS) The West Indies are keeping an anxious watch on the weather ahead of Sunday’s crucial fixture against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the cricket World Cup as powerful tropical Cyclone Pam trained its sights on New Zealand’s east coast.
The category five storm is the most powerful to hit the Pacific in three decades and is expected to bring dangerously strong winds of up to 200 kilometres per hour accompanied by torrential rain, reports CMC.
“Hurricane force winds of this magnitude are going to cause a lot of damage,” Vanuatu Meteorological Service director David Gibson said.
While Cyclone Pam is not expected to make landfall before Monday, Napier -- located on the east coast of North Island -- could begin to feel its effects before, with the forecast for Sunday showing cloudy weather and possible showers.
The centre of the weather system may not pass over New Zealand, but parts of the country, including the northeast coast of North Island, that could experience severe weather, meteorological officials said.
This news will be troubling the West Indies who need to beat UAE at McLean Park to stand any chance of remaining in contention for a quarterfinal spot in the World Cup.
They currently sit fifth in Pool B on four points and a washout will see Pakistan and Ireland -- both on six points -- through to the next round. Group leaders India, the reigning World champions, and South Africa, have already booked their spots.
Team manager Richie Richardson said the Windies were keeping their fingers crossed for good weather.
“We have to play the game to give ourselves a chance, so we want sunshine. We need two points badly and we need it big,” the former West Indies captain said.
Should West Indies win, they are likely to progress at the expense of the loser of the Pakistan-Ireland game which also bowls off on Sunday, but at the Adelaide Oval.
Richardson believes that once the West Indies reach the quarters, their chances would be as good as any other team.
“We can beat anybody in this competition, but I've said at the start of the tournament that I hope we don't peak too early. We still have a sniff, but we need to back ourselves. We know that, given a chance, we can beat anybody. Once we get past this hurdle of UAE, then anything is possible," he stressed.
The UAE have lost all five of their games while the West Indies have won two of their five outings, which included a shock four-wicket defeat to minnows Ireland in their opening game. They have also lost their last two games to South Africa and India.
Corona wave may come again in 40 days: It took 7 months for the first wave to come; Looking at the situation in China, will it be more dangerous this time?
Bloomberg has quoted China's National Health Commission as saying that on December 20, 2022, 37 million new cases of the corona were reported here in a single day. However, only 3 thousand cases were
'India had great players, we had children with two teeth; Former Pakistan captain made a shocking disclosure
Controversy is going on regarding the match between India and Pakistan in Asia Cup 2023. At the same time, the Pakistan Cricket Board is continuously refusing to play the ODI World Cup in India.
The threat of gang war in Punjab jails: Gangsters threaten after Moosewala's murder; Government handed over jail charge to ADGP of STF
After the murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala, the threat of gang war increased in the jails of Punjab. Gangster groups are threatening each other. Because of this, the government has handed over
Coaching Center Tragedy: Rau Coaching Center blocked the drainage system, many revelations in the Chief Secretary's report
In the case of the death of three students in the basement of Rau Coaching Center, it has been revealed that this institute itself had completely blocked the drainage system. The report of the Chief
Weather Update Today: Heavy rain alert in UP, and the school is closed, how will the weather be in other states including Delhi?
In many states of the country, normal life has been disturbed due to the rain for the last several days. In many places, water has come from the streets to the streets. According to the Meteorological
Heavy Rain: Outcry due to heavy rain, 153 deaths in Gujarat and Maharashtra so far, rain alert in these states even today
Normal life has been derailed due to rains and floods in more than 22 states of the country including Gujarat and Maharashtra. Heavy rains have wreaked havoc in Maharashtra and Gujarat. There is a
China's naval base started in Djibouti: Dragon will keep an eye on the Indian Ocean from Africa; Its first military base outside China
China's naval base in the African country of Djibouti has become fully operational. This has been revealed from satellite images released by Maxar Technologies. These photos also showed warships on
Haryana, BJP come out openly for Jat reservation
Chandigarh, March 24 (IANS) Haryana's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its government have openly come out in support of job quota for Jats even after the Supreme Court recently quashed a
Google Pixel 7A launch date revealed phone will be launched this week, know the features and price
Google has prepared to launch its new mid-range phone Google Pixel 7a in India. This phone will be launched in India on 11 May. The phone will be sold through Flipkart. Ahead of the official launch of
The SIT has reached the Noida Authority office in connection with the engineer's death case; statements from several departments, including fire and police, will be recorded.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) arrived at the Noida Authority's Sector 6 office today to investigate the death of Yuvraj Mehta. Statements from those present at the scene and from relevant
