CRICKET:Ireland and Afghanistan will return to Castle Avenue in Clontarf this morning in the hope that some form of match will take place after their first World Cup qualifier was pushed into the reserve day due to the inclement weather.
Although the covers were taken off on a number of occasions yesterday, the umpires were not happy with the state of the bowler run-ups which remained dangerous due to the amount of rain that has fallen in recent weeks.
Umpires Shaun George of South Africa and England’s Richard Smith undertook a number of inspections before finally abandoning play just after 3.30pm after rain began again.
With another poor forecast expected today, the hope will be that a minimum 20-overs per side match is possible to allow the sides battle it out for the two points. They would take a point each for a no result if no play was possible.
The second qualifier takes place in Clontarf tomorrow.