Rain hits Ireland-West Indies clash

West Indies were denied a 100% record in the Quadrangular Series after rain brought an abrupt end to their clash with Ireland in Dublin.

Chasing a third successive win, following triumphs over the Netherlands and Scotland, Windies were in the box seat as Ireland were struggling on 84 for four before the rain returned.

The morning session had been a virtual washout with just seven deliveries possible as the match was reduced to 33 overs a side.

The two sides resumed in the afternoon but in the 18th over of the game the rain returned leaving umpires Nigel Long and Amiesh Saheba with little option but to call an end to proceedings – much to the disappointment of the 2,000-plus crowd.

The tourists started the afternoon session on fire with Daren Powell ripping through the top order to leave Ireland floundering on six for two.

Opener William Porterfield (four) was the first to go knicking a good length delivery to wicket-keeper Danesh Ramdin and Andre Botha followed in the same over as an inside edge hit the stumps.

Niall O’Brien (seven) attempted to resist but he was soon back in the pavilion after cutting a short Ravi Rampaul delivery onto his stumps.

But Ireland avoided a complete capitulation as wicket-keeper Kevin O’Brien (25) took on the pace attack and crashed four fours and a six before being dismissed by Fidel Edwards.

Both O’Brien brothers had been ably supported by Eoin Morgan who kept the scoreboard ticking over with a succession of impressive boundaries including sending a huge six back over the head of spinner Devon Smith.

Ireland now head to Belfast to face Scotland in the final Quadrangular Series match.