Rain wrecks game after Ben Duckett's maiden ODI ton
Written by I Dig SportsEngland 280 for 4 (Duckett 107*, Salt 61, Crawley 51) vs Ireland - Match abandoned
England claimed a 1-0 ODI series win against Ireland in farcical circumstances after the third ODI at Bristol was abandoned 31 overs into the first innings after water got under the covers.
However, an issue with the covers being caught in the wind left the pitch exposed, before the three mobile covers came on from Ashley Down Road End. The tractor dragging the covers ended up driving down what would have been just outside the off stump of a right-hander batting from the Pavilion End. There was also a delay in closing the gaps between the covers allowing the rain to get onto the playing surface.
Groundstaff then had to squeeze under the covers where they were passed mats to towel down the damaged areas at both ends. Standing umpires Paul Reiffell and Rod Tucker emerged with reserve umpire David Millns at around 3.15pm to survey the damage. After looking under the covers, and assessing the standing water on the square, the decision was made to call off the match at 3.21pm. The rain relented five minutes later.
It had been a bumper start from Salt on his way to England's fourth-fastest half-century in the format, from 22 deliveries. He crashed three fours and a six off Mark Adair in the first four balls of the match, with the 19 off the first over and 100 up after eight overs both England records in this format.
However, for the second time in the series the rain curtailed any prospects of a result, as Bristol suffered its fourth consecutive men's ODI abandonment. With more than 30 overs of play achieved, spectators were not entitled to a refund.