T20 WORLD CUP 2022: RAIN PLAYS SPOILSPORT FOR ENGLAND; IRELAND WIN BY 5 RUNS AS PER DLS

Ireland defeated the former champions by five runs using the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method in the Group 1, Super 12 match of the ICC T20 World Cup on Wednesday at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Rain ruined England's already shaky chase.

With two points and one victory after two matches, Ireland has moved up to position four in the points table with this victory. With two points and one victory after two games, England holds in the third spot.

England's hard-hitting top order once again faced an implosion while chasing 158. Josh Little, a medium pacer, dismissed Alex Hales (7) and Jos Buttler ((0)), both dangerous openers, dropping England to 14/2 after 2.4 overs.

England stood at 37/3 after six overs, with Malan (15*) and Brook (3*) batting.

Ireland dropped Brook and Malan in two successive balls during the 11th over, losing two excellent opportunities to tighten their grip on the game. The 38-run stand between Brook and Malan was broken by Gerath Delany, who caught Brook for 18 off 21 balls, undoing the damage. George Dockrell secured the game's opening wicket.

Malan joined Moeen Ali, an all-rounder, at the other end, and the two southpaws had to lead England to another another triumph.

Liam Livingstone came over and joined Ali. Ali contributed to England scoring 100 runs in 14.2 overs.

Malan, who had been keeping England's inning together up until this point, was caught by Fionn Hand and then dismissed by Barry McCarthy for 35 off 37 balls. For 86/5, half of the English batting order was still in the hut.

Liam Livingstone came over and joined Ali. Ali contributed to England scoring 100 runs in 14.2 overs.

At this point, the action was halted by rain. With Ali (24*) and Livingstone (1*), England reached 105/5 in 14.3 overs, 5 runs behind the required score of 110. Rain delayed the start of the action past the deadline.

Ireland prevailed by five runs as a result in the game.

Little (2/16) was Ireland's preferred bowler. Each of McCarthy, Hand, and Dockrell secured a wicket.

Balbirnie led Ireland in scoring with 62 off 47 while Lorcan Tucker scored 34 runs. Livingstone Wood scored three runs for England, and Sam Curran grabbed two wickets.

Using the DLS technique, Ireland defeated England 157 (Andrew Balbirnie 62, Lorcan Tucker 34; Liam Livingstone 3-17) by five runs. England had been 105/5 (Dawid Malan 35, Moeen Ali 24*, Josh Little 2/16).