Rain Ends Hopes of Irish Demolition

Rain washed out tonight's ODI against Ireland after just 10.4 overs, which would have been a disappointment and a relief for the Irish team given the state of the match at the abandonment.

Brett Lee could have had 3/0 off the first three balls of the match, had an almost-plumb LBW decision been awarded in his favour from the second ball of the match. he was fast, straight, and with enough movement in the air to make him close to unplayable. It was one of those days when he was on song, and when he is, he is great to watch.

Better news was the return of Pat Cummins for his first match for Australia since his match winning effort in the second Test against South Africa in September. He bowled up hill and into the wind, and bowled at speeds over 150kph. Scary. he took a wicket to a superb catch from skipper Michael Clarke at slip that just raced to hand. An impressive return.

Australia's five match ODI series against England starts on Friday. That is where the real test will begin on this tour.