Women's World Twenty20: St Lucia fixtures will not be relocated

Video caption, England's World T20 opener rained off

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has decided against relocating the remaining matches in Group A of the Women's World T20 from St Lucia to Antigua because of poor weather.

England's first match of the tournament against Sri Lanka on Sunday in St Lucia was abandoned without a ball bowled.

Further storms and torrential rain are forecast until Thursday.

But the ICC said there was no guarantee that moving games "will put us in a better position to play cricket".

Saturday's fixture was the first time, in the sixth edition of the tournament, that a Women's World T20 game has been washed out completely.

In a statement, ICC head of events Chris Tetley said: "Our absolute priority is to do everything we can to play cricket and as such in light of the forecast in St Lucia, we explored alternative options for Group A games.

"After considering a range of factors including a detailed analysis of weather forecasts in both St Lucia and Antigua and an inspection of the square and outfield in Antigua, we have taken the decision to continue as scheduled.

"The weather is forecast to improve, and we will continue to support the local ground staff in their preparation of playing surfaces at all venues."

Hosts and holders West Indies beat Bangladesh in Guyana on Friday, but eight remaining matches in Group A are scheduled to be played in St Lucia.

Should all the remaining matches in St Lucia be washed out, England would still qualify for the knockout stages by virtue of being second seeds in their group behind West Indies.

Remaining Group A fixtures in St Lucia

12 November: England v Bangladesh (20:00 GMT); Sri Lanka v South Africa (d/n) (00:00 GMT, 13 Nov)

14 Nov: Sri Lanka v Bangladesh (20:00 GMT); West Indies v South Africa (d/n) (00:00 GMT, 15 Nov)

16 Nov: England v South Africa (20:00 GMT); West Indies v Sri Lanka (d/n) (00:00 GMT, 17 Nov)

18 Nov: West Indies v England (20:00 GMT); South Africa v Bangladesh (d/n) (00:00 GMT, 19 Nov)