IRE VS RSA - 1st ODI, South Africa tour of Ireland, 2021

17:12 Local Time, 16:12 GMT, 21:42 IST: There we go. The match has been called off! Rain has the last laugh. Five CWCSL points apiece; don't think either team will be happy with that result. We could have witnessed a competitive duel, but weather played spoilsport. Playing at home after two years, Ireland got off to a cautious start after they were inserted to bat. Stirling struggled for timing and after his dismissal, the Porterfield-Balbirnie duo stitched a 87-run stand for the second wicket and thereby keeping the SA bowlers at bay. Both the experienced Irish batsmen notched up their respective fifties. With the game reduced to 43-overs-per-side, the hosts upped the ante and scored 50 runs in 32 balls before the heavens opened up and forced the players off the field. There was no more cricketing action and the umpires eventually had to pull the plug. We'll be back on Tuesday for the second ODI. Until then, it's goodbye...

17:00 Local Time, 16:00 GMT, 21:30 IST: No improvement. It's still drizzling and chances of any play look bleak.

16:25 Local Time, 15:25 GMT, 20:55 IST: Rain fails to relent. With no floodlights, light could be an issue too. For now, the wait continues. Play has to start around 17:30 local for a 20-over chase.

Ireland's innings has officially come to an end. Once the rain returned, this was expected. The home side would be reasonably pleased with their batting effort. Porterfield and Balbirnie produced fluent fifties to set up the platform for Ireland after Stirling failed to get going. The experienced duo batted with composure and ensured that South Africa weren't able to get into the middle order. Porterfield looked good for a century but a reverse sweep undid him, giving the visitors an opening. Balbirnie found another partner in Tector, and although the latter was a bit slow to start with, they seemed to be doing well before the first of the numerous rain delays came. Many interruptions later, Ireland resumed and both fell in pursuit of quick runs. Adair's cameo gave some late impetus before the rain once again intervened. South Africa weren't at their best with the ball, especially early on although the spinners did well, getting some grip. Depending on when rain stops and when we can resume again, expect adjustments to the target. It is raining quite heavily now.

15:41 Local Time, 14:41 GMT, 20:11 IST: Guess who is back? Yes, you're right. The rain has arrived, again. This should be it as far as Ireland's innings goes. Another 16 deliveries remain but this delay probably means that we might not have those in. Covers are back on. The hosts did a reasonable job on resumption with runs coming at a fair clip and to be fair, both the breaks have come when they were going well.

Rabada to Mark Adair, 1 run, backs away early and flat-bats this towards long-on. Got cramped by the angle

Rabada to Mark Adair, SIX, Adair can hit a long ball and he is showing off those skills against Rabada. Attempted yorker gone wrong, ends up as a low full toss that's been smoked way over cow corner. These blows are just what Ireland were seeking at the back end

Ngidi to Mark Adair, 1 run, full and angling in on off, Adair tries to heave this away but gets a toe-end towards cover. Another single

Ngidi to Mark Adair, no run, clever from Ngidi, slower ball into the surface and Adair can't connect the cut stroke after backing away

Ngidi to Dockrell, 1 run, banged in short, extra bounce and Dockrell fends it onto the track, quickly calling Mark Adair across for the single. Ngidi quickly got to the ball but missed the target at the bowler's end. Direct hit and Dockrell was comfortably gone

Ngidi to Mark Adair, 1 run, slower ball on off, Adair chops an inside edge onto the pad and calls Dockrell across for the single. Ngidi tries his football skills to upset the stumps at the keeper's end but misses. I think Dockrell was in anyway

It's raining again.

Ngidi to Mark Adair, no run, back of a length outside off, jabbed down the track

Ngidi to Mark Adair, SIX, what a stunning shot this is! Short ball outside off, Adair just arches his back a bit and glides this over backward point. Such timing that it's hit the ropes on the full. Outrageous stroke to play, that too off just your second ball

Lungi Ngidi [7.0-0-24-0] is back into the attack

George Dockrell, right handed bat, comes to the crease

Rabada to Harry Tector, out Caught by Verreynne!! Rabada has the last laugh! Sees Tector feasting on the pace and takes all off it, shortening the length as well. Wider lines and Tector ends up going on the cut shot a tad early. The spungy bounce undoes him and he gets a healthy nick that's pouched well by Verreynne moving to his right. Harry Tector c Verreynne b Rabada 25(28) [4s-2 6s-1]

Rabada to Harry Tector, THATS OUT!! Caught!!

Rabada to Harry Tector, FOUR, more runs! Tector is starting to up his tempo a bit. Short ball from Rabada, it's swivel-pulled hard to the fine leg fence

Rabada to Harry Tector, SIX, this is out of the ground! Short of a length from Rabada but this time Tector was ready for it. Sat back and pulled it powerfully over mid-wicket. Crunching sound off the blade and it was always going for a maximum