Match abandoned without a ball bowled (No toss)
13:34 Local Time, 12:34 GMT, 18:04 IST: There's the inevitable. The one-off ODI match between Ireland and Windies has been called off. There's no reserve day and Ireland will have to wait for a long time before they get another opportunity to play against a Test-playing team. The start of play was delayed due to a soggy outfield - the damage was done by the overnight rain. The umpires came out thrice in three hours for examining before the clouds opened up. Once the heavens opened up, it was just a matter of time as to when the game would be abandoned. Windies will travel back to England to take part in one T20I followed by five crucial ODIs. Until then, it's a goodbye! Don't forget to follow Pakistan vs World XI from Lahore.
13:10 Local Time, 12:10 GMT, 17:40 IST: Bad news! It has started to rain. The covers are on. Chances of any play looks bleak. It is pouring down heavily now!
12:34 Local Time, 11:34 GMT, 17:04 IST: The umpires have a longer walk this time in their inspection. They are having a word with the groundstaff. The region around the bowler's run-up seems to be the area of concern. Another inspection at 13.30. We'll continue to wait. FYI, lunch will be taken at 13.00 local.
11:33 Local Time, 10:33 GMT, 16:03 IST: The umpires are once again back out in the middle. Remember there has been no rain for the last five hours and sun is out as well. The outfield still isn't ideal for play to start. There are a few muddy areas. Lets wait for the official word. The next inspection is at 12.30.
10:40 Local Time, 09:40 GMT, 15:10 IST: All four umpires are out in the middle for inspection. The Universe Boss is keeping himself busy by signing autographs and posing for selfies. The latest information from the ground is that there will be another inspection at 11.30 local. The wait continues.
This is Ireland's first international game after achieving the Test status. They'll eye nothing short of a win against a Gayle-strengthened Windies set-up. When these two teams last met, Ireland came on top chasing down a 300+ plus score. With rain expected to be a common unwanted guest in this match, we can expect the side winning the toss to field first. Stay tuned for further updates.
10:00 Local Time, 09:00 GMT, 14:30 IST: We have a delayed start as the outfield is wet - thanks to the overnight rain. The news coming in is that there will be an inspection at 10.30 local. The forecast isn't great later in the day as well. The only thing we can do is keep our fingers crossed.
Hello and a warm welcome to our live coverage of the one-off ODI game between Ireland and Windies. Holder and Co. come into this game on the back of 1-2 loss against England - where the Caribbean side were touted to be blanked ruthlessly. They surprised everyone, they fought back after the humiliating loss in the first Test. As the format changes, they have a different challenge ahead. The former World Champions need to win five of their next six ODIs in order to achieve a direct qualification to the 2019 World Cup.
Preview:
Once ruled the roost in World Cricket and champions of the first two editions of the World Cup, the Windies are now in a danger of missing direct entry into the 2019 World Cup. When they face Ireland at the Civil Service Cricket Club in Belfast on Wednesday (September 13), there will be a lot of eyes, no doubt, pinned on the Windies side. An unwelcoming guest, however, too might keep its eyes wide open. Not to witness the proceedings, but to do the exact opposite. Who else? The rain.
Having surprised themselves in the recently concluded Test series against England, the Windies will desperately look upwards from hereon; literally and figuratively. They have to, for they are set to play six ODIs - one in Ireland and five in England - in the tricky and tacky weather of the United Kingdom. Although they cannot think of losing the lone ODI against Ireland, they need to win the series 4-1 against England if they want a hassle-free entry into the 2019 World Cup in England.
The Windies are currently 9th in the ICC ODI rankings and trail Sri Lanka - 8th in the list - by eight points. The gap might seem small, but the Caribbean side know that winning games is the only way forward. And to do just that, they have recalled some of the biggest names in their limited-overs set-up; Chris Gayle, Marlon Samuels and Jerome Taylor.
Chris Gayle last played an ODI for the Windies in the 2015 World Cup and ironically, he's been drafted into the squad to airlift a sinking inexperienced side to the next World Cup. It's been over an year for both Jerome Taylor and Marlon Samuels - who both have done just enough to revive their limited-overs career.
Their opposition Ireland is no stranger to facing bigger oppositions. Although the stage isn't too big for a win to be counted as an upset, they would be cognizant of the fact that the last time they played the Windies in an ODI, they won comfortably by four wickets at the Saxton Oval in Nelson during the 2015 World Cup.
With Head Coach John Bracewell's contract nearing its end, Ireland will look to bid him a happy farewell whilst welcoming their next coach Graham Ford. The appointment of the former Sri Lankan coach has been confirmed, but he would only be able to join the squad by the end of November.
Ireland will also be vary of the fact that they might, highly likely, face the Windies in March next year for the World Cup qualifiers in Zimbabwe and will use this fixture as a great opportunity to pull off their best performance. The top eight teams in the ICC ODI rankings as of 30 September 2017 will earn automatic qualification. The clock's ticking, Windies.
What to expect: Gloomy skies and thundering rains are predicted to make appearance during the course of play. At best, it could be a reduced game with team batting second having customary advantages.
Team news:
Ireland: In the 13-member squad, Simi Singh and John Anderson could be doubtful starters for Ireland. Goerge Dockrell has been a consistent performer for his side in the last 12 months and the left-arm spinner worked on his batting to contribute in all three aspects of the game. He picked 14 wickets and scored handful of runs in his last 2 domestic games.
Windies: Chris Gayle, Marlon Samuels and Jerome Taylor should, in all likelihood, find a place in the playing eleven. With the return of Samuels and Taylor, Kyle Hope might have to sit out alongside Miguel Cummins and Sunil Ambris. Gayle is just 779 runs away from reaching 10,000 runs in ODI cricket. Although that won't be his primary motivation, the opener will look to deliver as many runs as he can to help the Windies cross the line.
What they said:
"Hopefully, things can get better. Hopefully I can play a few more games. I definitely want to play the 2019 World Cup. Things are beginning to open up a little more now between players and the board. It's looking good, and we've to try and build from this to get the best players out on the field" - Chris Gayle.
"I had the same sort of break before the Dutch game and was in good enough touch (he scored 60 and 108) so hope to do well again on Wednesday" - William Porterfield.
Teams:
Windies (From): Evin Lewis, Chris Gayle, Kyle Hope, Shai Hope(w), Marlon Samuels, Jason Mohammed, Jason Holder(c), Rovman Powell, Ashley Nurse, Devendra Bishoo, Alzarri Joseph, Kesrick Williams, Sunil Ambris, Miguel Cummins, Jerome Taylor
Ireland (From): Paul Stirling, Ed Joyce, William Porterfield(c), Andrew Balbirnie, John Anderson, Niall O'Brien, Kevin O'Brien, Gary Wilson(w), Simi Singh, George Dockrell, Peter Chase, Tim Murtagh, Boyd Rankin