Brian Lara dropped for the World Cup

World Cup officials are scouting alternative venues after admitting the Brian Lara Stadium in Trinidad will not be ready in time for the tournament next spring.

The stadium in southern Trinidad had been scheduled to host warm-up matches ahead of the March tournament involving Ireland, Pakistan, South Africa and Canada.

However, those fixtures will be played elsewhere after World Cup managing director Chris Dehring confirmed inspectors have decided the Brian Lara stadium will not be completed in time.

"It certainly validates the monitoring process which is in place and shows that CWC has the situation under control," said Dehring.

"Notwithstanding the odd bump or two, the Cricket World Cup train is building a powerful head of steam.

Earlier this year, other stadia (Sabina Park in Jamaica and Grenada National Stadium) were considerably behind in their construction schedules but, under careful monitoring, they are now on track."

The World Cup starts on March 11.