There was disappointment for Ireland’s cricketers at the World Twenty20 Championship after persistent rain denied them a famous win over England. Phil Simmons’ side are on their way home after the umpires were forced to call the match-off because of the weather meaning that England advance to the Super Eight stage of the tournament with a better run rate. Ireland’s bowlers produced a stunning performance to limit their opponents to just 120 runs from their 20 overs – with Dubliner Eoin Morgan top-scoring 45 runs against his former team-mates. But after Ireland had started and had to stop their reply twice and got as far as 14 for one from 3.3 overs, the 5pm local time cut-off was reached. International Cricket Council rules stipulate that five overs of a second innings must be completed to constitute a Duckworth-Lewis result – and since that was not possible, England progress alongside group winners West Indies thanks to a far superior run rate. Ireland were therefore left to rue their collapse last week against the hosts, which put their run rate in such a parlous and uncompetitive state.