Rain Abandons England vs. Scotland Match at ICC Men’s T20 World Cup: A Day of Disappointment at Kensington Oval

What promised to be an exciting day of cricket for thousands of spectators, many of them school children, ended in disappointment when persistent rain forced the abandonment of the match up between England and neighbour Scotland on day two of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at Kensington Oval.

The showers delayed the start by half an hour and freqently stopped play. At one point, the sky was so overcast that the floodlights had to be turned on.

A strong start by Scottish openers George Munsey and Michael Jones was a glimmer of light on a gloomy day. Munsey made 41 runs while Jones made 45 in an impressive partnership of swashbuckling fours and sixes in a wicketless show.

Reduced to a ten-over affair, it was minutes to 3 p.m. when the game was abandoned, depriving England of the opportunity to reply.

But in the hours leading up to the start of the match, a carnival-like atmosphere gripped the Oval. Before 9 a.m., there were long lines at the entrances for patrons seeking to be seated early for the 10:30 a.m. start of play. Dancers dressed in cricket gear, colourful flowing garments and traditional Barbadian wear moved to the energetic and rhythmic music of drummers and steelpan.

But in scenes reminiscent of bygone days when school children were so common a sight at cricket they had their own stand at the Oval, around 3 500 students from more than 100 schools attended the match.

Many of them said they were thrilled to represent their school and watch an international match.

Although West Indies fans at heart, many gave support to England given that two Barbadian born bowlers, Jofra Archer and Chris Jordan, were playing.

“I am excited to be here on behalf of my school to watch Jofra Archer play with England against Scotland. I am looking forward to it being a good game,” said budding cricketer at Christ Church Foundation School Amali Marshall.

Schoolmate Jalon McAlister said he could not wait to see the showdown. “I am expecting England to beat Scotland bad and Jofra Archer to lick down somebody’s stumps,” he said.

Students from the Irving Wilson School, which caters to students with varying disabilities, also took in some of the action at Kensington.

Principal Armed Alleyne said she was excited that her children were not left out, stating that “these are opportunities that they are not afforded very often and they are excited to be in the renovated Oval watching the match”.