The match between England and Ireland was abandoned due to rain© AFP
England’s opening one-day international against Ireland was abandoned without a ball being bowled on Wednesday, denying Joe Root a World Cup warm-up.
With the rest of England’s first-choice squad rested ahead of next week’s departure for India, Root requested to be included for the first of a three-match series after a lean return with the bat in four matches against New Zealand.
However, he never got on the field at his home ground as heavy rain prevented even the possibility of a 20-over-a-side game at Headingley.
Even after the rain subsided, the umpires were concerned for the players’ safety on saturated areas of the outfield and the bowlers’ run-ups.
The sides will try again at Trent Bridge on Saturday.
England begin their defence of the World Cup against New Zealand on October 5 in Ahmedabad.
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