Scotland vs Ireland, at Aberdeen, , Aug 17 2009 - Ball by Ball Commentary

1.30pm The players are having lunch just now and the rain is very stop-start. A couple of the Scotland players are walking about the square having a look for themselves. Hopefully if the rain stays away we will be able to get some play around 3.00pm but no news from the umpires as yet.

12.40pm The rain has eased slightly but it's still very stormy outside. The players are milling about watching some of the Ashes while the groundsman have the blotters out on the square. Umpire Paul Baldwin has confirmed that the latest we can play up to tonight will be 7.00pm.

12.10pm The rain has started again and the umpires are still not happy with the state of the pitch. The groundsman say once it has stopped raining it could take up to 90 minutes to remove all the casual water and take all the covers off.

11.45am The groundsman are still out there working away but the rain is back on and it's a heavy driving shower. The Scots will be happy to see this being so far away from claiming victory while the Irish won't be too happy.

If the match results in a draw then the teams will be given three points each along with Scotland's six points from the first innings lead. There is an inspection due at 12.00 barring the rain holds of but we will keep you updated.

11.15am The rain has stopped and its blowing a gale outside now. The latest news is that there will be another inspection at 12.00. The groundsman are hard at work trying to get the square playable while some of the players are chilling out in front of the of the tele watching the start of the Ashes. More news when we get it but hopefully now the rains off, we will be able to get some play at some point early in the afternoon.

10.30am Good morning all and welcome to our ball-by-ball coverage of the fourth day of this ICC I'Cup match between Scotland and Ireland with me Callum Stewart.

Some heavy overnight rain and a few showers this morning here in Aberdeen means that the covers are on and there will be a delayed start. At the moment it's still raining but the umpires are due to inspect the pitch when the showers stop.

The Scots will be hoping for a long delay to increase their chances of a draw and picking up some unexpected points while the Irish will be looking to get out there as soon as possible.

The umpires are just heading out to the pitch so more news when they come back.

Well that's it. Play has been abandoned for the day and the match is drawn with Scotland taking 9 points and Ireland only 3. The heavy overnight rain and that last shower has put an end to any more cricket as the umpires call things off and the players shake hands.

Thanks for joining us here on cricinfo over the last four days with me Callum Stewart. The Ashes however is still on so we hope you can enjoy that but it's goodbye for now and do join us for the two ODIs at the weekend.

Everyone now looks forward to two ODIs on Saturday and Sunday where the teams lock horns in the shorter format of the game. Do join us then when we will have ball-by-ball coverage as usual for you. This results means that Scotland top the I'Cup table with 29 points from 2 games while Ireland are back in 3rd with 12 points.

2.45pm - The sun is peeking out now but the damage has already been done. The umpires have been chatting to the groundsman and now the captains have joined them for a word.

2.30pm - Well we have just had a very heavy shower for about 20 minutes and there is no casual water lying around the square and various parts of the outfield. Any play is now looking a long way off and it's probably not long before play will be called

off for the day.

2.00pm - The rain has stopped for the moment but it is very dark and gloomy outside. A lot of rain has already fallen though and it will take some time to get the square ready.

And now the rain is coming down sideways as the groundsman run off for cover. Play looking unlikely in the near future.

1.30pm - The players are having lunch just now and the rain is very stop-start. A couple of the Scotland players are walking about the square having a look for themselves. Hopefully if the rain stays away we will be able to get some play around 3.00pm but no news from the umpires as yet.

12.40pm - The rain has eased slightly but it's still very stormy outside. The players are milling about watching some of the Ashes while the groundsman have the blotters out on the square. Umpire Paul Baldwin has confirmed that the latest we can play up to tonight will be 7.00pm.

12.10pm - The rain has started again and the umpires are still not happy with the state of the pitch. The groundsman say once it has stopped raining it could take up to 90 minutes to remove all the casual water and take all the covers off.

If the match results in a draw then the teams will be given three points each along with Scotland's six points from the first innings lead. There is an inspection due at 1.00 barring the rain holds of but we will keep you updated.

11.45am - The groundsman are still out there working away but the rain is back on and it's a heavy driving shower. The Scots will be happy to see this being so far away from claiming victory while the Irish won't be too happy.

11.15am - The rain has stopped and its blowing a gale outside now. The latest news is that there will be another inspection at 12.00. The groundsman are hard at work trying to get the square playable while some of the players are chilling out in front of the tele watching the start of the Ashes. More news when we get it but hopefully now the rains off we will be able to get some play at some point early in the afternoon.

10.30am - Good morning all and welcome to our ball-by-ball coverage of the fourth day of this ICC I'Cup match between Scotland and Ireland with me Callum Stewart.

Some heavy overnight rain and a few showers this morning here in Aberdeen means that the covers are on and there will be a delayed start. At the moment it's still raining but the umpires are due to inspect the pitch when the showers stop.

The Scots will be hoping for a long delay to increase their chances of a draw and picking up some unexpected points while the Irish will be looking to get out there as soon as possible.

Match State: Stumps - Day 3

Well the day has to belong to the Irish as Porterfield piled on the runs with 118 even though Haq and Goudie bowled well and got four wickets each. The forecast tomorrow is mixed and the Scots will be hoping rain might be able to help them salvage a draw

tomorrow

The Irish only need 5 wickets to claim victory but the Scots are a mighty 226 runs behind. Even though they have already claimed 6 bonus points there are 14 points awarded for outright victory whereas a draw only gives three points to each side

Do join us tomorrow where Scotland will need an unlikely hero to salvage this match. The other option is that they hope the rain comes and a quick look at a few forecasts show that there may be some showers early tomorrow afternoon.

Entry is free here at Mannofield in Aberdeen so if you're hard and Scottish and you can brave the elements feel free to come down and watch some cricket tomorrow. The game will start at 11.00am so do join us then for the conclusion of this ICC I'Cup match. For now from Aberdeen it's goodbye from me Callum Stewart and have a good evening

Not many overs left in the day now with play due to stop at 6.00pm