PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) — St Lucia has emerged as the frontrunner ahead of Trinidad & Tobago to host the matches between West Indies and South Africa almost certain to be relocated from the violence-torn Jamaica capital of Kingston.

West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) officials are currently mulling over whether to relocate the final One-Day International and the first Test between West Indies and South Africa to Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad, or the Beausejour Cricket Ground in St Lucia.

Twenty-six people have already been killed in an outbreak of violence between security forces and armed supporters of a powerful don Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke, who is facing extradition to the United States.

A source with knowledge of the ongoing WICB discussions said St Lucia was the heavy favourite because officials were concerned about the weather situation in Trinidad & Tobago, with the seasonal heavy rains pounding the country in recent weeks.

“With the situation as it is in Jamaica, the directors are already dealing with it and they have come up with Trinidad and Tobago and St Lucia as possible countries to host the matches,” the source said.

“However, as it looks now, the matches may go to St Lucia because they are concerned of the weather situation in T&T these days with the heavy rain.”

Sabina Park, located in central Kingston, is scheduled to host the fifth ODI between West Indies and South Africa on June 3 and the opening Test of the three-match series from June 10-14.

The third and fourth ODIs will take place in Dominica this weekend, following the opening doubleheader in Antigua.

The violence forced the Bruce Golding Government to declare a state of emergency in the Corporate Area of Kingston and St Andrew.

If the matches are switched, it will be the second time that the WICB would have been forced to do so in the series.

The two Twenty20 Internationals and the first two ODIs between the two sides were moved to Antigua, following the announcement of a snap general election, which took place in T&T on Monday.