Aussie storm drama in the West Indies

The Australian cricket team could be trapped by Tropical Storm Elsa, which is heading to St Lucia in the West Indies, with predictions of 250mm of rain, flooding and possible mudslides.

A training session planned for Friday at the Darren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, where the Aussies have had just a single session since arriving this week, has been cancelled with the public told to stay inside.

The Australian men’s side, locked in a “hard bubble” at their hotel, have been told to hunker down as St Lucia braces for the storm, which has sent the island into lockdown.

The United States‘ National Hurricane Centre issued a warning, with the storm set to the hit the Windward Islands, of which St Lucia is the largest.

“On the forecast track, the (storm) system will pass near Saint Lucia or over the Windward Islands on Friday,” read a release from St Lucia‘s National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO).

“The shutdown will remain in place until an ALL CLEAR is given by the Prime Minister or NEMO. Therefore, the public is asked to remain indoors and not to venture out until such time.”

SANDY NOW AT HURRICANE STRENGTH, REPORTS MET SERVICE OF JAMAICA AND UNITED STATES NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTRE pic.twitter.com/ZrsVyIdN

Aussies back in action #WIvAUSpic.twitter.com/nnE0js1Kzs

Australia has intra-squad T20 matches planned for Monday and Wednesday, but those could be thrown into doubt if St Lucia feels the full force of the storm.

“I’m interested to see what is coming our way,” wicketkeeper Alex Carey said from St Lucia on Friday morning Australian time.

”There has been a release to the public here to lockdown and be safe over the next 24 hours.

“Not looking too far ahead to those (intra-squad) matches – hopefully there‘s not too much damage and everyone’s safe around St Lucia.

“At this stage, we’ll probably have the day off in terms of training and then we’ll see what comes post-storm in the next 24 hours.”

The first game of the eight-match series against West Indies – Australia will play three ODIs in Barbados after the five T20s – is scheduled for July 9.

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