Ireland's World Cup Dreams Washed Away in Dharamsala

Disappointed Porterfield Hoping to End on a High Against Holland

If Ireland's spirits were dampened by their defeat against Oman in the first game of the T20 World Cup, they were drowned today by the Indian Rain as their vital tie against Bangladesh was washed out in Dharamsala.

Having seen the unlucky Dutch hang around all day and finally succumb to the rain, Ireland must have feared the worst. But the rain stopped and the ground staff got the pitch ready. A 12 over blast was the result.

Bangladesh, aided by some sloppy Irish fielding, got themselves to a strong looking 94/2 in 8 overs when the storm came again and the match was called off.

Unfortunately this left Ireland wondering what might have been if they had held their nerve in the last few overs against Oman, who now joint top the group with Bangladesh, and play a winner take all match against them on Sunday.

Ireland have a dead rubber to play against the Dutch who are in the same position. Hopefully they can find their best form and leave the tournament on a high with a victory against the Dutch who have had the Indian sign over Ireland in recent games.

Barry Chambers: William disappointing way to go out of the T20 World Cup, but this happens, it's the third time, so I suppose you're used to it by this stage?

William Porterfield: Yeah as someone said I think 33% of our games have been washed out in the T20 World Cup. But look the disappointing thing for ourselves is really the Oman loss. So a lot of it was down to how we played on that day. The weather intervened today, there's not a lot we can do about that. But we could have been better on Wednesday.

Barry Chambers: And what of the fact there's no reserve day? All the teams are here, the ground is free tomorrow, do you think there should be reserve days?

William Porterfield: Ah I don't know. I haven't really thought too much into that. Obviously we were just worried about today. And it's disappointing that the weather intervened. I don't know is the honest answer. It's not something I've put too much thought into.

Barry Chambers: Just maybe a final word about the game tonight. We didn't really cover ourselves in glory in the field, it's difficult in the conditions.

William Porterfield: Yeah look there was a couple of chances. These things happen. I think that first chance is obviously it's gone up, it's not necessarily the easiest when it goes above the lights. But we'd back ourselves more than 9 times out of 10 to take that chance. And that was a little bit disappointing. But yes I'm not overly concerned about that.

Barry Chambers: And obviously a chance to go out on a high, play the Netherlands on Sunday, you'll be looking to finish with a win?

William Porterfield: Yeah very much so. Both sides out of the competition. So on paper there's nothing to play for. But it's a T20 International at a World Cup. And we've been under par so far. So what we've got to do is put that right on Sunday, and that's just what we've mentioned before I left the changing room, and that's what we have to do.