full and wide, Jones slaps low through point, they won't be able to push for a second so that was a very good final over from Rampaul
Ireland vs West Indies, 11th Match, Group B at Colombo, Sep 24 2012 - Match Result
10.30pm The match has been abandoned so West Indies are through to the Super Eights (without winning a game, like England in 2010) and Ireland are going home. Tough on the Irish, although West Indies were always favorites to chase down this target. I'll hang around in case we get anything from the presentation.
Well, don't think we are going to hear from the captains right away so I'm going to sign off for the evening. From myself and Alan Gardner thanks for joining us and come back for Pakistan-Bangladesh tomorrow. One Super Eights place up for grabs. Bye for now.
10.25pm "Can't they think of rescheduling the matches to start early," suggests Aman. "Why can't they start at 6.30 or even 5.30 if it's gonna rain only late in the evening.I would take a match played at 4 instead of not getting to see one at all." Blimey, that's verging on common sense.
I'd suggest we are getting close to a call-off. No official word yet, but it's still raining and all the covers are on.
Kyle McCallan, doing studio work in the UK, has a sense of deja vu after Ireland were also hit by the rain at the 2010 event in West Indies when they had a chance against England in Guyana.
10.15pm "It's very sad that tournament organisers schedule such a big event during monsoon season," says Nick. "Off topic question, but still relating to the England/Ireland player debate. As a South African, we would welcome Kevin Pietersen back home should England fail to rsolve the KP-Gate saga, but I doubt SA can fit him into the current side. Your thoughts?" Hmmm, how many South Africans would welcome him back? He would have to re-qualify anyway - four years I think.
Just a reminder, close of play is 11pm local and we need five overs which takes about 20 minutes so we probably need to be on by about 10.40pm
10.10pm While it's throwing it down, you can entertain yourselves with George Dobell's innings report.
"It's because of ECB and playing in county that players of Ireland are getting better," says Rajinder Singh.
Here's Dan: "I certainly wouldn't blame someone like Morgan, or the ECB, for Irish players leaving Ireland to play Test cricket. But wouldn't it be better for the game if Irish players didn't have to leave their country to play Test cricket?" That's the ideal scenario and what Cricket Ireland are planning for. It's passed by this generation, but who knows about the future.
10.00pm Why on earth such a big tournament has been organised in a part of world where there is raining season these months?" asks Rehan. "Can't they just find some other months for this premier tournament? It's a shame for the fans." Indeed it is, Rehan. And it's not the first time they've tried to stage a tournament in Sri Lanka at this time of year. Last time it rained, too.
Here's James on the Ireland-England debate: "You can't accuse the ECB of "preying" on the best Irish players, it's a tired cliche. Some want to play test cricket and can't do so with Ireland, so chose to qualify for England, it's as simple as admiral personal ambition."
And now Deshan: "Some of the people ALWAYS taking a swing at ECB/England and Wales Cricket really need to grow up. England brought us this great game. Besides, Ed Joyce moved from England to Ireland. People like Eoin Morgan is a great cricketer and HE made the decision to leave. Who would get recognition as things stand, playing in Ireland??? Too much rubbish about England-bashing is tolerated here!" Posting comments doesn't mean it's tolerated. Just opening the debate.
"At least Ireland can play spin," says Mahip. "England were batting as they had a stump in their hand and a bowling ball was being bowled at them."
9.55pm "Ireland have performed quite well in the limited matches they have got in all the World cups," says Chibi. "They have been quite consistent than the other associate teams so far.. even with ECB preying on their good players..! Wish they get a much better recognition." That's a common sentiment. Just ask Trent Johnston.
Just hearing that the cut-off is 11pm local time, so an hour from now, and needing five overs for a game I reckon we'd need to be on about 20 minutes before that to get the play in. If it's a five-over game, West Indies will need 44. We aren't there just yet, though.
9.50pm Oh dear, it's raining. The covers are coming on. I was about to say there had been no adjustment to the West Indies target despite Ireland's innings being stopped after five overs. Hopefully it's a short shower, but remember we need five overs for a match. If it's washed out, West Indies go through.
"Though WI have an intimidating batting line-up, they also have the recent history of implosion after fruitful performances," says Ramshankar. "This is like chasing a target of around 200 in the fourth innings. Not to be taken lightly or it might boomerang on them."
Hello folks. Andrew here for the run chase. Gut feeling is Ireland have nowhere near enough (sorry Ireland fans) but they've pulled off some amazing things in the past.
"Everyone apart from Will Porterfield got into double figures," says Mark. "No one past 25. It will take an almighty bowling effort to defend this, although Ireland defended small totals in the 2007 World Cup against Full Members."
A much-improved bowling performance from the first match against Australia and West Indies will be happy with chasing 130. No Ireland batsman was able to push on, though seven made it into double figures, and they will have to field like Celtic tigers if they're to pull off a major upset and reach the Super Eights. Gnasher will here to tell you if they can do it in about 10 minutes' time. Ta ra
pitched up in the corridor, chopped through point for a single
full length and wide of the stumps again, drives through the covers with an angled bat, it's not straight at the man and they get back for two
low full toss outside off stump, Johnston swings and misses
pitched up wide of the stumps, Johnston gets a toe end on the ball, it runs fine and they pick up a second via a misfield
full and straight and dug out down the ground
Rampaul to finish off
full and straight, Jones gets underneath it and lofts the ball straight to Kieron Pollard at long-on, who takes the catch and throws it in
Free hit coming up then
floated up on the stumps - but it's a no-ball
another wrong'un, leaves the crease and swipes down the ground, comes off the toe of the bat but falls short of long-off
tossed up outside off, spins away from Johnston, who is flummoxed and can't get anything on it
pushed through and punched down the ground
tossed up full outside off and this time Jones carts the ball over wide long-on, a big swing of the bat and that goes a long way
length ball, the doosra, Jones waits and pushes to cover
Narine to bowl his final over, two to go and Ireland need to get a bounce on
"Like all 'neutrals', I also usually support the weaker team; but of all the full members, West Indies is the only team I don't want to see an upset against," says Kamran. "It's been so long since we've seen a good West Indian team and I think they deserve to go further in the tournament."
pitched up outside off stump, jams a single through point
fullish length ball outside off, Johnston slices aerially towards third man but it bounces a good few metres in front of the man on the rope
short ball, at the batsman, gets on top of it and pulls through midwicket
pitched up and driven into the covers
length ball on the stumps, turned fine and they get back for a second as Edwards fields on the boundary
shuffles across, looking to go big on the leg side ... and Rampaul knocks over his off stump! The batsman telegraphed his intention but Rampaul was good enough not to be flustered, just went full and straight and knocked over Ireland's King Louis, the big-swinging O'Brien
Rampaul comes on in place of Edwards...
he gets under this one, not quite the yorker Gayle was searching for and Johnston blams it high over wide long-on - Ireland will probably need a few more of those to make this interesting
R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo | |
Toss | West Indies, elected to field first |
Series | |
Season | 2012/13 |
Match number | T20I no. 273 |
Hours of play (local time) | 19.30 start, First Session 19.30-20.50, Interval 20.50-21.10, Second Session 21.10-22.30 |
Match days | 24 September 2012 - night (20-over match) |
Umpires | |
TV Umpire | |
Reserve Umpire | |
Match Referee | |
Points | Ireland 1, West Indies 1 |