MATCH OFFICIALS AT the Edinburgh Cricket Ground have cancelled today’s one day international between Ireland and Sri Lanka following a pitch inspection this afternoon.

The beginning of the match, which was scheduled to be the opening game in a tri-nations series which also includes the host nation, was delayed this morning following a weekend of persistent and heavy rainfall.

Both sides were optimistic that a full 50-over game could be played if action got underway at the rescheduled time of 1pm, but those plans were quickly scrapped after the return of the rain this morning.

With sun finally breaking through, officials inspected the pitch at 1pm before deciding to allow the waterlogged surface some additional time to dry out.  But, with little improvement in playing conditions evident following a subsequent inspection at 2.30pm, they were forced to cancel the day’s play.

Ireland are back in action tomorrow against Scotland in the series’ second game with the start of play pencilled in for 10:45.