Ireland Innings Report
The crucial Group D Match between England and Ireland has been called off due to persistent rain. The match has been abandoned with no result coming out of it and both sides share a point each. Thanks heavens is what the England team and its supporters would say as they get to enter into the Super Eights based on a superior net run-rate. Ireland needed just 121 to win from 20 overs and were certainly favourites to beat England but the rain had other ideas! Even if five overs of cricket was possible, Ireland were looking pretty good for a Duckworth/Lewis win at 14 for 1 in 3.3 overs before England were rescued by the rain gods!
The only wicket that fell in the short Irish innings was that of right hander Paul Stirling who was caught in a stunning fashion at deep squareleg. Michael Lumb was the fielder plucking the catch from thin air diving full length to his left to hold onto a murderous flat pull from the right handed Stirling.
England Innings Report
England are under tremendous pressure against Ireland having posted just 120 for 8 on the board after being asked to bat first. There were no real fireworks in the English innings and Ireland are left with getting their runs at run-a-ball. They would be happy if there can be a rain break which only makes the target further simple through the D/L Method.
Just the 9 fours and 1 six were scored in the English innings with none of the batsmen really getting a measure of the slow pitch and the disciplined Irish bowling. Eoin Morgan was the top scorer with 45 coming from 37 balls with 5 fours. Luke Wright gave him company to score a 24-ball 20. England were shaken up at 49 for 4 in the 10th over. Once again teenage left arm spinner George Dockrell bowled extremely well for Ireland, giving away just 19 in his 4 overs. Boyd Rankin and Kevin O'Brien took a couple of wickets each.
Toss and Teams
Ireland have won the toss and asked England to bat first in the Group D Match at the Providence Stadium in Guyana. The match is likely to have some rain interruption as it goes ahead, so the team chasing will have a definite advantage. Both England and Ireland have retained the same line ups that played their last game against West Indies. Again its a must-win game for both England and Ireland to join West Indies into the Super Eights from this group.
The pitch is expected to be slow, low and aiding the spinners. The English batsmen will have to fire on all cylinders to ensure that Ireland do not get a simple target if at all the overs do cut because of rain stoppages.
England Playing XI : Michael Lumb, Craig Kieswetter (WK), Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood (C), Eoin Morgan, Luke Wright, Stuart Broad, Tim Bresnan, Graeme Swann, Michael Yardy and Ryan Sidebottom
Ireland Playing XI : William Porterfield (C), Paul Stirling, Niall O'Brien (WK), Alex Cusack, Kevin O'Brien, Gary Wilson, Trent Johnston, Andre Botha, John Mooney, George Dockrell and Boyd Rankin
