"We put men on the moon, so why can't we have a reserve day, when actually this tournament is a long tournament," Steve Rhodes asked in jest after Bangladesh was forced to split points after a washout against Sri Lanka in Bristol on Thursday, reports Cricinfo. Rhodes was reacting to a question on the number of rained out matches - three so far in this edition alone, and the second straight day of no results. This left Bangladesh precariously placed, with a win and a washout after four matches. No other edition has seen these many rain-affected matches in the tournament's history.
Rhodes, who hails from Worcestershire, also felt there was a case to fit in reserve days as most sides had at least "two to three days" between matches. Bangladesh, for example, has a five-day gap before their next game against West Indies in Taunton. "I know logistically it would have been a big headache for the tournament organisers," Rhodes began at the post-match press conference. "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.
"The games are spread out. I would say that it's disappointing for the crowd, as well. They have got tickets to see a game of cricket, and you know it would be up to them if they can get there the day after." Dimuth Karunaratne, the Sri Lanka captain, didn't think Rhodes' suggestion was feasible. "If they could put a reserve day it would have been fine. But it's a major tournament and we're all playing nine games. I don't know if they can keep a reserve day for us," he said.
"The next day you have to travel to a different venue, so it's not easy. If they can put a reserve day, though, it's going to be good for the all the spectators and everyone."
