The Caribbean nation of Dominica has withdrawn from the hosting of games at next year’s T20 Cricket World Cup, the country’s sports ministry said on Thursday.
Dominica is one of seven Caribbean countries that were given games for the June tournament by the International Cricket Council (ICC) in September.
Matches will also be held in New York, Florida and Texas in the United States, the first time a major ICC event has been held in the country.
But Dominica’s sports ministry said “in the best interest of all” that it withdraws.
“The implementation timelines submitted by the various contractors revealed that it would not be possible to complete these works within the stipulated timeframe before the commencement of the tournament,” the ministry said in a press release.
“As a result, a decision was taken not to host any of the matches in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, as it would not be prudent for the Government of Dominica to commit to hosting these games.”
Dominica’s Windsor Park Sports Stadium was shortlisted for one group stage match and two games in the Super 8 stage of the tournament.
Cricket West Indies did not immediately respond to a request for comment but they are expected to address the issue at an event being held by the ICC in Antigua as part of the inspection process for venues.
One notable absence from the list of Caribbean host nations is Jamaica, whose Sabina Park ground in the capital Kingston is one of the iconic homes of West Indies cricket.
Jamaica has the largest population of the main cricket-playing nations in the Caribbean but did not submit a bid to host games in the tournament.
West Indies hosted the tournament in 2010, three years after holding the 50 overs World Cup.
