Persistent rain denied Malahide any cricketing action on Friday as the much-anticipated second T20I between Ireland and England was washed out without a ball bowled. A sell-out crowd had packed the ground in hopes of another spectacle, but the weather had other plans.

The ground staff worked tirelessly through the afternoon, rolling, sweeping while the covers remained on the ground throughout the afternoon. Eventually due to consistent wet conditions and incessant drizzle the play couldn’t start. For the fans, who had turned up in numbers, it was a day of waiting in vain, their patience met only with the announcement of abandonment.

That leaves Sunday’s final game carrying extra weight. England, having claimed the series opener, will aim to seal the contest, while Ireland have the chance to draw level and share the spoils in this historic first bilateral T20I series between the neighbours. For the crowd and the players, the hope is simple: clearer skies and a proper finish to the contest.