Ireland Under 19 Women’s opening World Cup clash against England fell victim to the weather as heavy rain forced the abandonment just seven balls short of the five overs required in the second innings.

Niamh MacNulty’s side opted to field first after winning the toss and despite a few early jitters would have been pleased to have their fancied opponents at 65 for 3 just past the halfway stage.

Kia McCartney (1-9) had bowled superbly in her three overs after senior international Freya Sargent – just arrived from India – had leaked a few more runs than she would have liked.

Jemima Spence (37) and Charlotte Stubbs (31) were both in the runs for England, but wickets for Ellie McGee (2-20) and Lara McBride (1-19) had Ireland well in contention before a late 14-ball 25 from Charlotte Lambert that included two sixes took her side to 144 for 7 – a big total in Malaysian conditions.

The Irish reply saw Freya Sargent run out in the first over without facing a ball top complete a miserable match for the Clontarf youngster, but despite a few nerves Rebecca Lowe (16*) and Alice Walsh (10) added 26 before the latter was run out attempting a non-existent single.

The heavens opened shortly after with Ireland behind on DLS but the five overs hadn’t been completed. 

If the teams had managed to get back on for 5 minutes, Ireland would have needed 15 more from seven balls to complete a famous win. Difficult but not impossible.

Glenn Querl’s side will be hoping that Monday’s clash with USA gets the green light where a win for either would put them in a prime position to progress to the Super Six phase of the tournament.