Ireland vs England, Only ODI - Live Cricket Score, Commentary

Series: England tour of Ireland, 2015 Venue: The Village, Dublin Date & Time: May 08, 10:45 AM LOCAL

James Taylor leads a much-changed side into what he says is a 'new era' for England cricket when they face Ireland in a one-day international at Malahide, near Dublin, on Friday. After their underwhelming performance at the World Cup, when they lost their four games against Test nations and failed to reach the knockout stage, the England selectors have rung the changes with no fewer than six players in line to make their ODI debut, five of whom have never represented England in any format.

With regular one-day captain and former Ireland international Eoin Morgan allowed to miss this one-off game to play in the Indian Premier League, Taylor gets the chance to captain his country for the first time.

'It will be a real honour to lead out a young England side and although I have got the job by default because there were a few guys in the West Indies on the Test tour, it is really a special moment,' said Taylor. 'But there are plenty of fresh faces and young, exciting talent. It's a new era for England cricket, a chance to park the World Cup and look forward to a fresh start.'

Surrey's Cambridge graduate Zafar Ansari, Kent wicket-keeper batsman Sam Billings, Somerset all-rounder Lewis Gregory, Hampshire batsman James Vince and Northamptonshire all-rounder David Willey are all hoping for an England debut while Surrey's Jason Roy is, so far, a T20 specialist. Meanwhile Adil Rashid and Mark Wood can expect a game after travelling back early from the West Indies, where England could only manage a 1-1 draw against opponents labelled 'mediocre' by incoming England and Wales Cricket Board chairman Colin Graves.

It is also the start of a new era for Ireland but, in contrast to England, their stock continues to rise after victories over Zimbabwe and West Indies at a World Cup where they were only denied a quarter-final place on net run-rate alone. John Bracewell, the former New Zealand off-spinner who coached his country for five years, including at the 2007 World Cup, started work on Tuesday as Ireland coach in succession to Phil Simmons, now in charge of his native West Indies, but will have an observer role only this week.

Victory for Ireland would strengthen their case for more international matches, a point made repeatedly by skipper William Porterfield at the World Cup. 'We can play a lot more often,' said Porterfield. 'The public in Ireland are crying out for that as well, to see more cricket against the top-ten teams, especially in Ireland.'

England handed out caps to as many as five debutants as they herald the start of a new era in limited overs cricket. If it's indeed a new era, then it started off on a positive note when stand-in skipper James Taylor won the toss and elected to field first. They'll have first crack at Ireland under overcast conditions and can plan their chase with D/L set to feature.

Zafar Ansari, Mark Wood, David Willey, James Vince and Jason Roy - The five debutants.

Teams:

England (Playing XI): Alex Hales, Jason Roy, James Taylor(c), James Vince, Jonathan Bairstow(w), Zafar Ansari, Adil Rashid, Tim Bresnan, David Willey, Mark Wood, Steven Finn
England (Playing XI): Alex Hales, Jason Roy, James Taylor(c), James Vince, Jonathan Bairstow(w), Zafar Ansari, Adil Rashid, Tim Bresnan, David Willey, Mark Wood, Steven Finn

While the weather conditions for the moment look ok, the forecast indicate that the chance of rain in the afternoon is close to 98%. So expect a truncated game. Team winning the Toss will want to field first. Get those D/L sheets out!

Niall O'Brien and Ed Joyce added quick runs following Porterfield's dismissal before Tim Bresnan, bowling his sixth over on the trot, sent back Niall with a teaser outside off-stump. Having already struck two boundaries, Niall took the bait but unfortunately for him and Ireland, could only succeed in edging it to first slip where James Vince completed a clean catch.

An opening spell of 6-2-11-1 for Bresnan bowling with debutants. Good stuff. Here's Finn.

Struggling to string partnerships are Ireland. Here's Andrew Balbirnie. He shone during the World Cup. He has a job on his hands now!

Mark Wood was handed the responsibility of having to bowl the first ball of the match for England. If there were nerves, they showed. He drifted one down the leg-side to begin with a wide before correcting his line and bowling a tidy over. Good comeback. So easy for debutants to get consumed by the occasion. Especially with 4 other debutants playing. You always want to be the one making the right noise!

The experienced Tim Bresnan, too, utilized the overcast conditions on offer and delivered a solid first over. No wickets for either bowler but good lines hit already.

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Well it was known for some time now, wasn't it. The weather forecasts said it - 98% chances of Thunderstorms. One just has to cede to nature's vagaries. And the on-field umpires did just that. There was no way for the play to resume with Dublin having received so much rain. This match has been called off.

Ireland would probably be the happier side. They put up an abject show with the bat and at 56 for 4 looked in deep trouble when the heaven's opened. England handed caps to five debutants. Two of them got a chance to shine. Mark Wood castled William Porterfield and David Willey removed Andrew Balbirnie. The others would rue it as a missed opportunity. But they'll get their chances.

That is it from me for now, switch tabs to follow a cracker of an IPL match between CSK and MI. Until next time, ciao!