(BBC) Ireland’s one-day international against Australia at Stormont was abandoned yesterday after only 10.4 overs of play because of bad weather.
The umpires took the decision to call the match off after making a final inspection of the pitch at 16:00 BST.
The start was delayed until 11:30 BST and Ireland were 36-3 when the players came off the pitch due to rain.
Australia bowler Brett Lee bowled William Porterfield with his first ball and Ed Joyce with his third delivery.
Heavy rain on Friday had put the game in doubt, but the players were able to come onto the field after Australia had won the toss and elected to field.
Paul Stirling was the other Irish batsman to fall as he was caught by Michael Clarke off the bowling of Pat Cummins for 24.
Niall O’Brien was 11 not out and Gary Wilson had yet to score when play was halted.
News of the abandonment came as a major disappointment to the large crowd at the east Belfast venue.
Ireland will now turn their attention to the two forthcoming one-day internationals against Afghanistan on 3 July and 5 July, and ticket holders from the Australia ODI have been offered free admission to one of those games, or one of the three Twenty20 internationals against Bangladesh between 18-21 July.
Australia now face Essex at Chelmsford on Tuesday, before their five-match ODI series with England starts at Lord’s on Friday.
