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An above-average hurricane season in the Caribbean could spell trouble for building and renovation efforts at the 12 stadiums selected to host pre-tournament and tournament matches for the 2007 Cricket World Cup, the event’s managing director said.

Construction crews are aiming to finish the work at the stadiums in nine countries by year’s end. The 51-match tournament will be held for first time in the Caribbean.

Officials have backup plans to substitute a venue in case a tropical storm damages a stadium beyond repair, but a bad hurricane could be devastating, said Chris Dehring, who is overseeing the sport’s biggest event for the International Cricket Council (ICC).

“There is virtually nothing you can do, but wait and see what happens during hurricane season and hope for the best,” he said after the meeting with the ICC and World Cup officials.

If needed, the tournament could be played in six Caribbean countries, said Dehring, who declined to provide further details.

“We have to believe that there has never been a hurricane season where all these nine countries hosting matches have been hit, so clearly we think that the odds are extremely good for us going into the 2006 hurricane season,” he added.

Source:The News