Ireland vs England, ICC Men s T20 World Cup, Australia, 2022 Full score card

FOUR! Another one outside off, Moeen Ali lofts it over extra covers for a boundary. Excellent shot from Moeen Ali!

Bowls it outside off again, Moeen Ali slaps it towards point for a brace.

SIX! Up and over. Slightly shorter and just outside off, Moeen Ali lofts over long off for a maximum.

Leg bye! Sharp bounce by Barry McCarthy. Moeen Ali gets hit on the bicep and crosses over for a single.

WIDE! Barry McCarthy sprays this one down the leg side in his quest to follow the batter.

FOUR! Smart batting by Moeen Ali! Slower and a bit short outside off, Moeen Ali makes room and thumps this one over mid off for a much-needed boundary.

Bumper outside off, Moeen Ali sways away from the delivery and lets it go through to the keeper.

Full outside off, Liam Livingstone gets to the pitch of the ball and knocks it to mid off to open his account.

Short of a length delivery on off, Liam Livingstone gets an inside edge back onto his pads as he tried to work it on the off side.

Liam Livingstone is the new batter.

OUT! CAUGHT! Malan's struggle comes to end. Short and outside off, Malan shuffles across looking to thump this towards the leg side. Gets a thick outside edge that flies to Fionn Hand at third man who takes a fine catch running to his right and keeping his eyes on the ball till the last moment. England are now 5 down.

FOUR! No, he can't! Moeen Ali finds the boundary! 72 needed now from 42 balls! Bowls it fuller on off. Ali drills it down the ground away from long on for a boundary.

Shortish delivery, outside off. Malan cuts it to sweeper cover for a single. Five singles in the over, can Delany finish off well?

Ali skips down the track and drills this full delivery on off to long off for a single.

Delivers it outside off and flatter. Malan gets across to his left and sweeps it to deep backward square leg for a single.

Tossed up, outside off. Ali slog-sweeps it firmly to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Bowls a fullish delivery on off. Malan goes for the slog-sweep but gets it off the inside half of his blade to deep square leg for a single.

Short outside off, Dawid Malan rocks back and pulls it to deep square leg for a single.

Leg bye! Short and at the batter, Ali gets this one off his body behind square for a single.

WIDE! Short and sliding past the batter, Ali carefully lets it go through to the keeper.

Back of a length and on off, Dawid Malan flicks it to square leg for another single.

FOUR! LUCKY BOUNDARY! Another bumper outside off, Dawid Malan goes for the pull, gets an inside edge that goes to the left of fine leg for a much needed boundary.

Banged in short at the batter, Dawid Malan gets hurried on the pull and ends up hitting it back to the bowler.

Full and angling into the pads, Moeen Ali tucks it to fine leg for a single.

On off this time, Moeen Ali nudges it to mid-wicket for one.

Moeen Ali walks in.

OUT! CAUGHT! This time it is taken and Brook departs! Dockrell bowls it short and on off. Brook goes back and tries to pull it over the mid-wicket fence. However, the boudaries are bigger on that side and Brook fails to clear the fence as Delany in the deep takes a fine catch. England are under the pump here!

Tad shorter and on middle. Malan works it behind square on the leg side for a single.

A flatter delivery on middle. Malan tries to sweep it but misses as the ball bounces and hits his arm on its way to the helmet.

Oh...another drop, this time a tougher chance but they need to take these chances. A fullish delivery, outside off. Malan slices it uppishly towards deep point where Delany runs forward and puts in a dive forward as well to take it but fails to catch it. Two taken this time.

PUT DOWN! George Dockrell bowls a shortish delivery on off. Brook goes back and mistimes his pull shot to long on. Adair there runs way too forward than he should have and ends up dropping it even though he gets both hands to it. Single taken.

Drinks! England are struggling a bit and they need a solid partnership from Malan and Brook if they need to win this one. Ireland have been good with the ball and they will hope to continue with the same momentum. England are currently 63 for 3 at the halfway mark. George Dockrell comes into the attack.

Full outside off, Harry Brook looks to slog this one down the ground, gets an outside edge that flies towards third man for a single.

Full on off, Harry Brook smartly shuffles across and nudges this one behind square and comes back for two. Good running by Harry Brook.

WIDE! Hand loses his radar again. Bangs this one way down the leg side and Brook lets it go.

Hand shortens his length and bowls this one outside off, Harry Brook defends it to backward point.

FOUR! Beautiful shot! Half volley on off, Harry Brook holds his shape and lofts this one over mid off for a much needed boundary.

Full and shaping away on off, Harry Brook looks to defend this one and gets beaten on the outside edge.

Short on off, Dawid Malan does not get proper timing on the pull and mishits it to mid-wicket for a single.

WIDE Full delivery swinging into Malan but just too wide down the leg side as Malan misses his flick shot.

Couple of runs to end another tight over, 105 needed now from 66 balls! Delany angles it into middle. Brook uses the depth of the crease and works it towards deep mid-wicket for a couple.

Just a single again! Delany is mixing up his pace nicely here. Bowls it quicker on middle. Malan nudges it to mid-wicket for a single.

WIDE! Bowls another googly but it is too wide outside off and Malan leaves it.

Tad shorter and on middle. Brook punches it to long on for a single.

A googly now turning into leg. Brook tries to pull it by getting low but misses and gets hit high on his pads.

A flatter one, on off. Brook goes back and plays it back to the bowler.

Tossed up, on middle. Brook skips down the track and works it towards the leg side.

Short of a length delivery on off, Harry Brook punches it to deep cover for a single.

Clever bowling by Barry McCarthy. Short and at the batter, Brook tries to ride the bounce of the delivery and roll his wrist but fails to make any contact.

Bumper outside off by Barry McCarthy, Malan gets hurried on the pull and mistimes it to mid-wicket for a single.

Short of a length delivery outside off, Dawid Malan gets beaten as he tried to slash the delivery.

WIDE! Back-of-a-length delivery sliding down the leg side. Malan lets it go.

Full and wide outside off, Dawid Malan gets an under edge through to the keeper as went for the drive.

Short on off, Harry Brook clips it off the backfoot to mid-wicket for a single.

Barry McCarthy is back on.

Nicely bowled! Fires in a googly, on middle. Brook works it to mid-wicket for a single. 114 needed now from 78 balls!

Shortish one and outside off. Malan cuts it to sweeper cover for a single.

FOUR! Unlucky for Ireland but England will take it. Tossed up, around off. Malan tries to drive it but gets a thick outside edge that runs past short third man for a boundary.

On the pads this time and Brook clips it to short fine leg for a single.

Brook skips down the track and Delany pulls back his length a bit, on off. Brook only manages to push it towards covers.

Bowls a flatter delivery on middle. Brook works it towards the leg side.

Banged in short by Hand, Dawid Malan rocks back and pulls this one to the right of deep square leg for a couple of runs. England are 37 for 3 after the Powerplay.

Sliding onto the pads, Dawid Malan looks to help it behind square but the ball deflects off his pads for a couple of runs.

Good-length delivery on middle, Dawid Malan gets forward and defends this one.

WIDE! Hand fails to keep it within the stumps and sprays it down the leg side.

Short and wide outside off, Harry Brook stands tall and cuts this one over backward point. Josh Little runs around from third man and prevents the boundary.

Short and angling away from the batter, Brook pushes at it half-heartedly and gets beaten.

OUT! BOWLED! STOKES GONE! Fullish delivery swings in late to Stokes as he tries to drive it without much foot movement. The ball sneaks past the gap between bat and pad to rattle into the stumps. England are now 3 down inside the powerplay. Fionn Hand is pumped up and Irish after starting well with the bat in the first half, have started well with the ball as well.

Who will walk out now?

WIDE! Hand starts off with a loosener. Sprays it down the leg side. The keeper dives to his right and stops it.

Angling into middle as he hits the hard length. Stokes makes room to play it towards the off side but gets the inside edge that rolls towards the leg side. Malan calls for a quick run and they complete it easily.

Pulls his length back slightly this time, around off and Malan guides it to third man for a single.

Beaten again! Adair continues to bowl in that channel, outside off. Malan has a poke at it but misses it again.

Lovely delivery! Nice good-length delivery, around off. The ball seams off the pitch away from Malan as he tries to push it. Beats the outside edge of his blade.

Angles it into the pads and it is a slower delivery as well. Stokes tucks it towards square leg for a single.

On a length and around off. Malan steers it towards third man for a single.

Good-length delivery swings into the batter, Malan gets a thick outside edge that goes towards third man for a single.

WIDE! Barry McCarthy loses his radar as he sprays this one down the leg side. Malan lets it go.

Back-of-a-length delivery on leg, Ben Stokes works it off the backfoot to deep square leg for a single.

Full and outside off, Dawid Malan frees his arms and drives this one through the off side. The batters run three.

Fullish delivery nips back into Stokes. He shimmies down the track and works it to mid on for a single.

Full and swinging into the batter, Stokes nudges it behind square and gets off the mark with a brace.

Full and angling into the pads, Dawid Malan clips it to deep square leg for a single.

Another leave and another brilliant over from Little! He hits that good length again, outside off. Stokes decides to leave it.

Serves it on a good length and around off. Stokes leaves it alone.

Ben Stokes walks in.

OUT! CAUGHT! This time Hales is gone, big wicket and England are under pressure here! Little delivers a sharp short delivery. Hales tries to pull it. However, he gets a top edge and Mark Adair who is at short fine leg runs forward and to his left to take a fine catch. Can Ireland capitalise on this good start now?

Oh, dropped! Short and outside off. Hales cuts it hard aerially towards point. Delany there is late to react and tries to take it with his right hand. Fails to grab it and two runs are taken.

Excellemt comeback from Little! Serves it on a good length, around off. Hales tries to punch it towards the off side but misses.

FOUR! Lovely from Hales! Back of a length, around off. Hales goes deep in his crease and brings out a short-arm jab. The ball runs away towards the mid-wicket fence.

Back of a length delivery going away from Malan. He pokes at it and gets beaten on the outside edge.

Beauty of a delivery! Good-length delivery nips back into Malan. Cuts the batter into half as the ball sails over the stumps.

Short and shaping away from the batter, Malan moves to the off side and pulls this one over mid on for a couple of runs.

Full and angling away from the batter, Malan shoulders arms and carefully lets it go.

Short and outside off, Alex Hales cuts it to deep point and gets off the mark with a single.

Full and shaping away outside off, Dawid Malan shuffles across and clubs this one over mid-on. The batters run three.

Mark Adair to bowl from the other end.

Single to end the over and a great start for Little and Ireland this. Back of a length, around leg. Malan tucks it towards the leg side and takes a single to get off the mark.

On a length again, on off. Malan defends it solidly from his crease.

Ohh..nice shape for Little! Serves it on a good length and around off. The ball swings first and then seams as well after pitching as Malan leaves it.

Lands it on a length, on off. Malan blocks it from his crease.

WIDE! A fullish delivery but it is too wide outside off, Malan leaves it.

Dawid Malan is the new batter.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Josh Little strikes and gets rid of the dangerous Jos Buttler straightaway! A dream start for the Irish this. A fullish delivery, around off. It is angled across the batter and Buttler tries to launch it down the ground. However, all he manages to do is to get an outside edge which carries to the keeper and Lorcan Tucker takes an easy catch behind the stumps. Game on, folks!

Josh Little starts with a shortish delivery, outside off. Buttler tries to cut it but misses. Little is key here for the Irish!

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Stokes gets the last wicket and Ireland have been bowled out for 157! Stokes lands a good-length delivery, around off. Little tries to push it towards the off side. However, the ball catches the thin outside edge of his blade and Buttler takes an easy catch behind the stumps. Brilliant comeback by England this!

A fullish delivery, outside off. Delany slices it to deep point for a single.

Josh Little is the last batter. Ben Stokes to bowl the final over.

OUT! BOWLED! Curran hits his target again and Hand has to walk back to the hut now. Curran comes 'round the wicket again and bowls a length delivery angling into the stumps. Hand makes room and tries to play the inside-out shot. He misses and the ball knocks over the stumps.

Oh, dear...that it poor from Wood! Back of a length and around off. Delany guides it to short third man where Wood fails to get down in time and the batters take three as the ball rolls towards the third man fence before the fielder cuts it off.

Goes 'round the wicket and bowls a shortish delivery angling into off. Delany tries to pull it but misses.

A slower length ball on middle. Hand makes room and dabs it towards the off side for a quick single.

Fionn Hand is the next batter.

OUT! BOWLED! Another one bites the dust! Sam Curran nails a yorker this time. It is on middle and Barry McCarthy makes room to hit it towards the off side. He misses and the ball shatters the stumps. Eight down now Ireland and the question is, can they get to 165-run mark from here?

A slower length delivery on the pads. Barry McCarthy clips it to deep mid-wicket and comes back for the second run. Good running.

Loopy delivery, outside off. Barry McCarthy drives it to deep point for a single. 150 up for Ireland!

Barry McCarthy walks in.

OUT! CAUGHT! Liam Livingstone gets his third wicket! He tosses this up nicely, on middle. Adair tries to clear the longer boundary towards the leg side and goes for the slog-sweep. However, he fails to get enough power behind his shot and ends up hitting it to Sam Curran at deep mid-wicket who takes an easy catch.

Tad short and angling into middle and leg again. Adair skips down the track and works it to deep mid-wicket for a couple.

A quicker one and flatter as well, on middle. Delany knocks it down towards mid on for a single.

Floated up on middle. Adair drives it to long on for a single.

Tossed up, outside off. Delany drives it to deep point for a single.

There is a concussion protocol being followed by the Ireland physio as Gareth Delany gets a hit on his helmet. The test is complete and we are good to go.

Oh, Wood hits another batter on the helmet! A bouncer angling into middle. Delany tries to duck under it but the ball is too quick and does not bounce much as it hits his helmet. A leg bye is taken though as the ball deflects towards fine leg.

FOUR! Lovely shot! Wood delivers another full delivery, outside off. Delany opens the face of his blade and creams it through the backward point region for a boundary.

Just short! A fullish delivery, outside off. Adair slices it uppishly towards third man and the fielder in the deep runs forward and dives to take it. However, the ball falls just ahead of him. Single taken.

Mark Adair is the next batter.

OUT! CAUGHT! Mark Wood strikes again! A sharp catch from Buttler behind the stumps as well and Irish are losing their way here. Wood delivers a short delivery, around leg. Campher tries to pull it but does not get much bat on it and just enough to hit it left of Buttler. The English skipper dives and takes a brilliant catch and Ireland are six down now.

FOUR! Handy boundary for Ireland, this will ease some pressue. Pacy delivery at 148 kph. Lands on a length, on off. Campher gets across to his right and uses the pace of the ball to scoop it over short fine leg for a boundary.

Back of a length, on leg. Delany works it to fine leg for a single.

A flatter one on middle. Gareth Delany clips it to the leg side and gets off the mark with a single.

No hat-trick! Liam fires this on middle. Gareth Delany manages to get his bat down in time.

Gareth Delany is the new batter. Liam Livingstone is on a hat-trick. Can he take it?

OUT! BOWLED! Two in two for Liam Livingstone and he is absolutely pumped up! Another tossed up delivery on middle. George Dockrell facing his first delivery, makes some room and tries to drive it. However, he misses it completely and the ball goes onto knock the stumps. England are making a strong comeback here! Liam Livingstone is on a hat-trick!

George Dockrell walks in.

OUT! CAUGHT! Andy Balbirnie holes out in the deep! Truly against the run of play this but England will take it. Brilliant knock from Andy Balbirnie comes to an end. This is slower through the air again, on off. Andy Balbirnie sweeps and sweeps quite well but it goes aerially and straight to Alex Hales at fine leg. He takes an easy catch and England continue to take wickets after the 10-over mark!

Shortish length, on off. Campher makes room and cuts it to deep point for a single.

FOUR! Boundaries continue to flow here! This is tossed up on middle. Campher gets a bit across to his right and scoops it past short fine leg for a boundary. Excellent batsmanship!

Back of a length and around off. Andy Balbirnie makes room and tries to swing it across the line but misses.

Serves it fuller this time angling into the pads. Andy Balbirnie clips it to deep backward square leg for a couple.

Back of a length and angling across the batter, around off. Andy Balbirnie tries to cut it but misses.

SIX! Wow! The Irish skipper is turning it on! A shortish delivery on off. Andy Balbirnie stays deep in his crease and pulls it fimly and deep into the stands over the square leg fence.

On a length and around off. Andy Balbirnie makes room and slaps it to sweeper cover for a couple.

Campher makes room and Curran follows him. This is full and on the pads. Campher tries to clip it but misses as the ball hits his pads. A leg bye is taken.

Sam Curran is back on.

Flighted outside off, Andy Balbirnie slaps this one wide of long off for a couple of runs more.

Wrong-un on middle, Curtis Campher doesn't read it and gets an inside edge as he tried to cut. The batters take a single as the ball rolls on the off side.

Full on off, Andy Balbirnie gets forward and clips it to mid wicket for a single to bring up a well-composed fifty. His 8th fifty in the T20I's!

Tossed up outside off, Curtis Campher shuffles across and slog sweeps it to deep square leg for a single.

Flighted on off, Andy Balbirnie taps it on the off and gets a single.

Floated outside off, Curtis Campher knocks it to long off for a single.

A dot to end the over. Bowls it on a length and on middle, Andy Balbirnie defends it to backward point.

Slightly shorter and outside off, Curtis Campher guides it to backward point for one.

Curtis Campher has been hit on his helmet! We will have a mandatory concussion test now. He looks fine to continue now and we are ready to resume.

Shorter one on middle, Curtis Campher looks to pull it but the ball hits his helmet and bounces off the deck.

FOUR! Fine shot. Fuller and outside off, Curtis Campher slices it over backward point for a boundary. Ireland needs to regroup now.

Wide! Bowls it outside leg, Curtis Campher lets it go.

Curtis Campher is the next man in.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! This one lands on a length and just outside off, Harry Tector looks to loft it but gets a thin outside edge. The ball goes safely into the gloves of Jos Buttler and Ireland lose two wickets in quick succession. Credit should be given to Buttler as well for bringing in Wood straightaway after the wicket.

On a length and outside off, Harry Tector looks to defend it but misses.

Harry Tector walks out to the middle as Mark Wood is back into the attack as well. Buttler sensing an opportunity here!

OUT! UNLUCKY DISMISSAL! Floated on off, Andy Balbirnie hits it straight back towards the bowler. Rashid gets a hand on it on its way to the stumps. Lorcan Tucker is out of his crease as the ball hits the stumps. A much-needed wicket for England. Lorcan Tucker is disappointed and rightly so, he was looking pretty confident out there in the middle.

Tossed up outside off, Lorcan Tucker shimmies down the track to slog it down the ground. Gets an inside edge that rolls towards square leg.

Flatter at the pads, Andy Balbirnie nudges it to deep mid wicket for a single.

Flighted on middle, Lorcan Tucker gets on his knee and sweeps it to square leg for a run.

Flighted on off, Andy Balbirnie gets forward and works it to long on for a single.

Full and on middle, Andy Balbirnie shuffles and drills it through extra covers for a couple.

Fuller and on off, Andy Balbirnie sweeps it to square leg for one.

Play and a miss. This one lands on leg, Andy Balbirnie looks to sweep it but misses as he ball hits his thigh pad. Dot.

Another single as this is played towards mid on.

Fuller one on off, Andy Balbirnie eases it to covers for one more.

This one lands down leg, Lorcan Tucker flicks it to mid-wicket for one again.

Slightly shorter and outside off, Andy Balbirnie taps it to point for one.

Drinks break. This has been a fantastic start for the Irish. They have gone about their business with a fearless attitude despite losing Paul Stirling early and now have a good platform to set a huge total here. English bowlers, on the other hand, have been pretty ordinary and need to tighten up, if they want to make their way back into this game. An interesting phase of the game coming up as Liam Livingstone is introduced into the attack.

Back of a length on middle, Andy Balbirnie drops it on the off side and takes a single. This 18-run over is now the most expensive over of the innings.

SIX! Short and at the batter, Andy Balbirnie picks it up from his hip and deposits this one over fine leg for a maximum. This is turning out to be a very expensive over by Chris Woakes.

FOUR! Slower and into the wicket, Andy Balbirnie creates the pace by advancing down the track and smashes this one over deep mid-wicket for the second boundary of the over. The fielder in the deep was standing a few yards in from the boundary.

Slower and at the body, Lorcan Tucker works it to fine leg for a single.

Short on off, Andy Balbirnie knocks it off the back foot to mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! Short down the leg side, Andy Balbirnie uses the pace and works it behind square leg for a boundary. The fielder in the deep ran to his right but could not prevent the boundary.

WIDE! Woakes sprays it down the legside. Good take by Buttler diving to his left as Andy Balbirnie dances down the track while making room to heave it away.

Fuller length and around off. Andy Balbirnie strides forward and pushes it down to long on for one.

Tossed up, outside off. Andy Balbirnie drives it to extra covers for a brace.

Play and a miss. This one lands outside off, Andy Balbirnie looks to play at it but misses.

Fuller length outside the off. Tucker comes down the track and heaves it to mid-wicket for one. 50 partnership up between Lorcan Tucker and Andy Balbirnie.

Goes fuller again, on off. Lorcan Tucker plays a reverse sweep to backward point for one.

Fuller one and on off, Andy Balbirnie steers it to long off for one.

Good length on off, Andy Balbirnie taps it on the off side and rushes for a quick single.

Bumper outside off, Lorcan Tucker shuffles across and pulls it towards deep mid wicket for a single.

Full outside off, Andy Balbirnie jams it towards deep point for a single.

Back of a length on leg, Tucker helps it towards fine leg for a single.

Back of a length and around off. Tucker opens the bat face and dabs it down to backward point.

Good-length delivery outside off, Andy Balbirnie advances and pokes it at it but misses.

Ben Stokes is back on. Can he break this partnership?

Bowls it outside off, Andy Balbirnie guides it straight towards the fielder at point.

Fuller one again, Lorcan Tucker nudges it to mid-wicket for one.

Fuller and down leg, Lorcan Tucker looks to sweep it but misses and gets his pads. A stifled appeal turned down.

Tossed up with a hint of turn, Lorcan Tucker defends it back towards the bowler.

On off, fuller in length. Andy Balbirnie guides it to short third man for one.

FOUR! Fine shot. A low full toss wide outside off, Andy Balbirnie slices it over point for a boundary!

SIX! STRAIGHT HIT! Lorcan Tucker advances down the track and converts a good delivery into a full one. Lofts this one with a straight bat towards long on for his first six of the game. Ireland are 59 for one after the Powerplay!

Banged in short by Curran, Tucker fails to get bat on it as he looked to ramp it over the keeper.

Short and at the body, Lorcan Tucker works it gently towards square leg and collects a brace.

Back of a length on middle, Tucker gets beaten as he tried to open the bat face and play it fine.

FOUR! DISPATCHED! Low full toss on off, Tucker moves away and drills it past Ben Stokes at mid off. Stokes went to his left first and then dived to his right but failed to stop it.

Short down the leg side, Lorcan Tucker tucks this one behind square for a couple of runs.

Sam Curran is brought into the attack now.

Bowls it outside off, Andy Balbirnie guides it to third man for a brace. 8 runs off the over.

Shorter and on leg, Lorcan Tucker pulls it to short fine leg for one.

Slightly shorter and down leg, Andy Balbirnie looks to flick it but gets his thigh. The ball rolls towards the left of the keeper. They cross for a leg bye.

Shorter one this time, Andy Balbirnie ducks underneath it.

FOUR! On a length and on off, Andy Balbirnie shuffles across and smashes it over point for a boundary!

Andy Balbirnie seems to be in some pain here. He has hurt his right hand's index finger and is getting some treatment from the physio. Looks fine now and we are ready to resume.

Slightly shorter and on off, Andy Balbirnie hands back and defends it out.

FOUR! Poor delivery by Woakes. Bowls it short without much pace, Lorcan Tucker makes room and smashes this one past the ring on the off side for the second boundary of the over.

Short of a length on middle, Tucker shimmies down the track to work it on the off side and gets beaten.

Slower and back of a length outside off, Andy Balbirnie taps it to backward point and takes a single.

Full on leg, Lorcan Tucker flicks this one to deep square leg for a run. The batters wanted a second but decided against it.

FOUR! Smart batting by Tucker. Good length delivery outside off, Tucker knows the fielder behind square is inside the circle. He shuffles across and scoops it over short fine leg for a boundary.

Back of a length on leg, Andy Balbirnie clips it off the back foot to square leg for a single.

Back of a length and outside off, Lorcan Tucker looks to play at it but misses.

FOUR WIDES! This one lands shorter and on leg, Andy Balbirnie ducks it. Buttler dives to his left and half-stops it. While the batters take a run off it, Buttler misses the shy at the bowler's end and allows the batters to run through for a couple more. Wide called as well.

Slightly shorter angling it away from the batter, Andy Balbirnie gets beaten off the outside edge.

Shorter again, on off. Lorcan Tucker fends it towards the off side for one.

Lorcan Tucker walks out at number 3!

OUT! CAUGHT! Shorter again, outside off. Paul Stirling looks to slap it but miscues it to third man. The ball goes in the air. Sam Curran settles under it and pouches it comfortably with both hands. England have an early breakthrough in the game. Paul Stirling makes his way back into the hut.

Play and a miss. This one lands outside off, Paul Stirling looks to play at it but misses.

SIX! Dropped! Shorter one on off, Paul Stirling looks to pull it but gets a top edge. The ball goes towards third man. The fielder at the third man takes a catch but he was in contact with the ropes. A good try from the fielder but its a maximum.

Mark Wood is into the attack now.

FOUR! Good length swinging away from the batter. Balbirnie makes room to free his arms and slices this one over covers for his first boundary. The ball went to the boundary even after Balbirnie got it off the bottom part of the bat.

Back of a length on middle, Balbirnie gets rapped on the thigh as he went for the flick.

Full and shaping away on off, Andy Balbirnie drives it uppishly towards point.

We are back! No overs have been lost yet and the the English players and Irish openers are back on the field as well. Chris Woakes to resume his over. Here we go...

Update - 10.11 am IST (4.41 am GMT) - The rain has eased out, and the covers are off. Let's hope we have a start soon. Fingers crossed.

Update - 9.56 am IST (4.26 am GMT) - The rain is back! It is heavier this time and players are running off the field as covers come on. This could be a longer delay and there is high chance now that we lose some overs if the rain continues to put on a show here.

Full outside off, Paul Stirling moves away and carves this one in the air through the offside. The batters come back for three.

Short of a length outside off, Paul Stirling tries to defend it off the backfoot and gets beaten.

WIDE! Full and going away, Stirling makes room to slice it but fails to make any contact. The umpire calls it a wide. Woakes is getting some good shape with this new ball.

FOUR! Full and swinging away from the batter, Stirling opens the bat face and guides it past backward point for his first boundary. Good timing and placement from Paul Stirling!

Chris Woakes to share the new ball with Ben Stokes!

On a length and on middle angling it into the batter, Andy Balbirnie awkwardly defends it away. A dot to end the over.

Bowls it outside off, a bit fuller too. Andy Balbirnie leaves it alone.

Good length angling it away, Andy Balbirnie defends it back towards Ben Stokes.

Goes outside off, Andy Balbirnie guides it to backward point for a brace.

Slightly shorter this time, Paul Stirling slices it away to backward point and gets off the mark. They cross.

Starts with a length ball on off, Paul Stirling defends it out solidly. A dot to start with.

The rain has cleared! The English players are on the field and the Irish openers, Andy Balbirnie and Paul Stirling are walking into the middle as well. Ben Stokes to start with the ball. Here we go...

Update - 9.43 am IST (4.13 am GMT) - Just when we were about to start, the rain is back again. It is that kind of day here in Melbourne, hopefully we will have better news soon. As of now, the start of the game is delayed further.

The anthems are done but we will have a slight delay here. The game will start at 9.45 am IST (4.15 am GMT).

Now then, the players are walking on the field for the national anthems. The pitch is still covered though and we are ready for the anthems now. We will have England's anthem first which will be followed by the Irish one.

There is always some spice when these two neighbours go head-to-head in any sports but for now we have to deal with rain, it is drizzling at the moment and covers have come on. It is not that hard though and players are standing near the fence. Also, the spectators are not using their umbrellas either, so we can expect to start soon.

Andy Balbirnie, the skipper of Ireland says that they would have chased as well with rain around but adds that they need to do their best now. Tells that they need to come out with aggression and a positive approach against the top-class bowlers. Tells that they have played a practice game here and they will try to make special memories just liked they did in Hobart. Says that they have happy memories of the 2011 World Cup and adds that they would like to replicate the same in MCG. Informs they have made one change with Fionn Hand coming in for Simi Singh.

Jos Buttler, the skipper of England says that they will bowl first and the weather has influenced his decision to bowl first. Shares that this a huge game for them. Adds that they have set high fielding standards considering the huge playing fields in Australia. Informs that they are going with the same team as the last game.

England (Unchanged Playing XI) - Jos Buttler (C) (WK), Alex Hales, Dawid Malan, Ben Stokes, Liam Livingstone, Harry Brook, Moeen Ali, Sam Curran, Chris Woakes, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood.

Ireland (Playing XI) - Paul Stirling, Andy Balbirnie (C), Lorcan Tucker (WK), Harry Tector, Curtis Campher, George Dockrell, Gareth Delany, Mark Adair, Fionn Hand (In place of Simi Singh), Barry McCarthy, Josh Little.

TOSS - The coin goes up and lands in favour of England. They have elected to BOWL first.

PITCH REPORT - Isa Guha is down for the Pitch Report. She says that this is a fresh pitch and adds that both teams would be looking to exploit comparatively short straight boundaries. Shane Watson joins her and says that the wicket looks nice if you are a fast bowler and there is a live green grass on the pitch. Adds that there is some moisture in the sureface and there will be some tennis-ball bounce. Mentions that the skipper that wins the toss would like to chase as that has been the way in MCG.

Andy Balbirnie shall be worried about the form of his bowlers heading into this big game. The side went down by 9 wickets against Sri Lanka in the last game, where most of their bowlers failed to apply pressure on the opponents. They would hope to put up a better show in this game. Ireland have always shown its giant-killing traits in the past, and it will be interesting to look at their approach in this game. Can they pull up a shocker? Stay tuned to find out. Toss and team news in a bit.

Jos Buttler's side has started the tournament on a positive note. They defeated Afghanistan by 5 wickets in their last game. The bowling attack made excellent use of the conditions to restrict the Afghans to a small total. Buttler though would look for an improved show from his batters as they showed signs of struggle in their small run chase in the last game. Expect them to come out all guns blazing in this game.

Hello and a warm welcome to match 8 of the Super 12 as England would be up against Ireland. It was a good start for England in the tournament, as the 2010 T20 World Cup Champions defeated Afghanistan in their first game of the tournament. The Irish side shall feel some heat in this game after their massive defeat against the Lankans. They were hammered to all parts of the ground in the last game. This will surely be another tough challenge against England, who have one of the strongest batting line-ups.

... MATCH DAY …