on the stumps and prodded back on to the wicket
Ireland vs Australia, Only ODI at Belfast, Jun 23 2012 - Match Result
4pm: I have news for you, but it's not good: the match has been abandoned. Seems like the surface was never going to recover, after all the rain of the last 24 hours. Lee sparkled from the off and there was a brief glimpse of Pat Cummins ... but we'll have to wait until next Friday to see the Aussies in one-day action again. We'll bring you full coverage of that game, as well as tomorrow's T20I between England and West Indies; let's hope the weather plays ball. Thanks for your messages, but it's ta ra for now.
3.55pm: "Black Caviar wins again for all those interested," emails James. Meh. Sam, meanwhile, has revealed himself as a teacher's pet: "Na I'm school captain and he is a cricket fanatic like me. Staying up for the cricket is all worth it."
3.25pm: "At a boarding school in Sydney way past my bedtime," says Sam. "Is there any positive news?" I wonder what your house master would make of you being on the internet way past your bedtime, Sam ... The umpires have just had a squelch around the square, where water is seeping up to greet each footstep. Still almost two hours until the official cut off time but, as we've said before, the outlook is soggier than SpongeBob SquarePants taking his convertible through a carwash.
3.05pm: Covers back on, umbrellas back up. Nicht gut.
2.50pm: The umpires will make another inspection at 3.15pm. Unfortunately, it looks as if the dark clouds may be about to close in again.
As we're forced to while away the time, you need to see this ECB video to promote the FLt20 - Bremner does Bumble. Close your eyes and imagine you're in Accrington.
2.45pm: Discussions between umpires and captains appear to be ongoing (though the umpires do have the final say). There's plenty of sawdust on the edges of the square, where water has left the pitch a little precarious; the bowlers' run-ups are also an area of concern. The main question, barring more rain, seems to be whether Clarke and Porterfield are happy to resume in slightly greasy, slippery conditions.
2.10pm: With the skies clear(ish), the players are currently taking lunch and there will be another inspection by the umpires at 2.40pm. The local, Mark Hawthorne, says they're told more rain is on the way but, for now, digits are being crossed.
1.55pm: Ooh, look at that: a glimpse of blue sky above the ground. I don't want to unnecessarily get your hopes up - or distract from discussions of equine chauvinism - but the groundstaff are again trying to get the pitch ready for a resumption. It'll take them a while, even if the rain doesn't return. The cut-off time, in order to fit in a 20-over match, is 5.15pm.
1.45pm: We're back to heavy rain in Belfast, which isn't good for the prospects of this match.
"Surely, Sean, you will stay up to watch the mighty Aussie mare Black Caviar go for her 22nd straight win at Ascot in front of the Queen tonight," says Andrew. "Where's the patriotism?" Do horses have a sense of nationality?
1.35pm: "Could you please update the weather," says Sean Mundie in Australia, "as I would like to know whether to stay up or go to bed please." I'll forgive you mistaking me for a meteorologist, Sean, and suggest you give up on this one in favour of your beauty sleep. No news is not good news when it comes to rain delays in the United Kingdom.
1.25pm: Looks like the rain has abated again, with attempts being made to mop up. Apparently the DJ at the ground has just been playing Walking on Sunshine ... The famous Irish sense of humour there.
12.40pm: Hold on to your rain hat - the covers are being dragged back on (many of them by hand). Everyone is pitching in to help the groundstaff at this picturesque Stormont ground but the weather is in no mood to follow suit. According to the radar, Ireland looks set for the full spin cycle today, sadly.
12.30pm: The downpour has ceased pouring for now and the umpires are taking a look at the pitch. Groundstaff preparing to remove the covers, will let you know of a restart time as soon as we hear it.
12.15pm: And the rain has now got visibly heavier, the players go dashing off to the changing rooms as the covers are wheeled on to the wicket. This is frustrating - though Lee has a smile on his face as he bounds over the outfield towards cover. The weather forecast is muckier than a two-year-old's bib from here on out and I wager we'll not be back on for a bit ...
defended in line with off stump
in the corridor outside off, thick edge low through vacant third slip
good length, played into the off side
Rain beginning to fall again. They'll continue for now ...
better length, pushed into the off side
full toss, blocked
Gary Wilson, who's been in terrific form for Surrey, is in at No. 5
superb catch at slip and Stirling perishes! Cummins put it on a good length outside off, drawing a thick edge as Stirling tried to check his drive, and Clarke flew to his right from first slip - like the canary he's dressed as - to grasp the ball one-handed
full but too much width this time and Stirling is able to get down and clatter a drive wide of third man
pitched up on off again, clipped square but straight to the fielder
full and straight, driven into the ground and fielded by Cummins in his follow-through
length ball on off, chopped towards cover
pulls his length back, pushed square on the off side
pitched up on off, driven back down the track and Hilfenhaus throws himself to his right to make the stop
good length ball, forward defensive to extra-cover
low arm, off-stump line, blocked
on the stumps, pushed into the on side
"@CSB. His selection seems to be the consequence of some swinging deliveries he bowled in IPL," says Pratsy. "I prefer him as a Test bowler though."
short and at the body again, nudged through square
length delivery, pushed into the off side coming forward
pushed through on a good length outside off, veering further on its way past the batsman, who leaves
slides his line down the leg side and O'Brien whips this off his hips, lovely timing and the ball races to the boundary
Civil Service Cricket Club, Stormont, Belfast | |
Toss | Australia, elected to field first |
Series | |
Season | 2012 |
Match number | ODI no. 3279 |
Hours of play (local time) | 10.45 start, First Session 10.45-14.15, Interval 14.15-15.00, Second Session 15.00-18.30 |
Match days | 23 June 2012 - day (50-over match) |
ODI debut | |
Umpires | |
TV Umpire | |
Reserve Umpire | |
Match Referee |