A fast approaching Hurricane Iris, which has continued to gain strength overnight is threathening the final preliminary match in Zone A of the Red Stripe Bowl competition, along with the Final Four weekend. Host country Jamaica were expected to play Trinidad & Tobago in the preliminary round of the Red Stripe Bowl competition. In the event that this match is unable to be played, both teams will be awarded one point each, in accordance with the Section 10.1 of the Playing Conditions of the Red Stripe Bowl.

Hurricane conditions were expected to begin affecting the island before dawn. At 5:00am today, the center of Hurricane Iris was located some 70 miles South East of Jamaica, and has sustained winds of 85 MPH. The Northern Windwards v Leeward Islands XI preliminary match was halted yesterday after rains associated with this storm poured down on Jamaica.

According to the National Meteorlogical Office, Hurricane Iris is expected to make landfall by early Sunday morning. The general movement of this fast moving hurricane will see it pass Jamaica and head towards the Cayman Islands and Cuba, as Hurricane Iris continues on a west north westerly direction over the next 72 hours.

Gregory Shillingford, CEO of the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), said: "The WICB will evaluate the situation following the passage of Hurricane Iris. Right now, the main focus is the safety of the players." Shillingford also confirmed that should Jamaica be unable to host the Final Four of the Red Stripe Bowl competition, the games could be moved to either Guyana or Antigua.

Meanwhile, the rest of the Eastern Caribbean is on a Tropical Storm watch as Tropical Depression Number 12 - which could become Tropical Storm Jerry today - is approaching from the east. At 5:00am this morning, the center of Tropical Depression Number 12 was located some 500 miles east southeast of Barbados. The depression is expected to strengthen and continue along its west north westerly track. On its present path, the depression should be in the Windward Islands or southern Leeward Islands by Monday.

The hurricane season in the Caribbean runs from June to November each year.

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