It is done and dusted, players are shaking hands. Ireland have upset England and made Group 1 all the more interesting in the Super 12. This world cup just can't stop giving twists and turns. England had done well to fight their way back by bowling out Ireland for 157 after they were in control at 103/1 in the 12th over of the innings. However, England's batters struggled against the Irish bowlers. They kept losing wickets and couldn't find enough boundaries either. Just when it seemed that they could take the attack to them in the death overs, a third spell of rain break brought about an early end to the contest. Ireland won by 5 runs (DLS). Even as their struggles on the field continued, the bowlers bowled exceptionally well in helpful conditions. Not to take away a match-defining 82-run partnership by Andrew Balbirnie and Lorcan Tucker, which ensured that the three wickets each that Mark Wood and Liam Livingstone bagged went in vain.
England vs Ireland, 20th Match, Super 12 Group 1 - Live Cricket Score, Commentary
Rain has stopped play again. Moeen Ali has struck 12 runs in three balls of the 15th over. But at 105 for 5 in 14.3 overs, England are still 5 runs behind Ireland's score as per DLS. If rain doesn't stop in the next 10 minutes, the match could be called off.
Dawid Malan and Harry Brook have fallen in quick succession and England desperately need a move on with the dark clouds descending over the MCG
Dawid Malan and Harry Brook are enjoying some luck in the middle. Twice in two balls he has been dropped - by Mark Adair and Deleny respectively.Both chances should have been taken. The third catch of the day dropped by Ireland, and the 10th of the tournament. The effort of the fielders is undoing a good job of the bowlers here.
England have scrapped their way to 63 for 3 at the halfway mark of their run-chase. Neither Harry Brook nor Dawid Malan has looked comfortable.
POWERPLAY Lorcan Tucker has taken little time to settle in, and taken the attack to the English bowlers. Despite multiple rain breaks, Ireland have powered away to a strong start, reaching 59 for 1 in 6 overs
WICKETMark Wood has struck, possibly the biggest Irish wicket. Paul Stirling departs while attempting a hard slash. He gets an edge that carries to Sam Curran at third. 19/1 in 2.3 overs
Play resumes again. No overs lost as yet.
Nine balls into the day's play and rain has stopped the contest again.Stirling batting on 8, Balbirnie on 2.
Rain has stopped,and Paul Stirling and Andy Babirnie have walked out to open the innings for Ireland.
While we wait for play to begin at MCG, here's something you can catch up on from an MCG classic which was played out only a few days ago:
By Kaushik Rangarajan:The anatomy of 'that' Kohli six
By Bharat Sundaresan:An MCG spectacle like never before
Rain has delayed the start of play at MCG.Ganesh C, our reporter at the venue, says, "Going to be that kind of a day. The 3:15 PM start looks unlikely now, the rain has become heavy again."
England have won the toss and elected to bowl.
Teams:
Ireland (Playing XI): Paul Stirling, Andrew Balbirnie (c), Lorcan Tucker (wk), Harry Tector, Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Fionn Hand, Barry McCarthy, Joshua Little
England (Playing XI): Jos Buttler (c/wk), Alex Hales, Dawid Malan, Ben Stokes, Liam Livingstone, Harry Brook, Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Chris Woakes, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood
Hello and welcome to Match 20 of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022, set to be played between England and Ireland at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Ireland have been in good form so far in the tournament, but they are bound to be tested to the extreme by their neighbours and one of the tournament favourites today. But can they put up a strong fight, or possibly even stir another upset today?
We will be bringing you the lives updates from the contest. You can join in as well with your views and questions. Tweet to us using #CricbuzzQnV