England's final one-day international against Ireland ended prematurely due to rain, despite Ben Duckett's remarkable century for the hosts on Tuesday.
In a rain-curtailed match held in Bristol, Duckett achieved his maiden ODI hundred, while Phil Salt's explosive innings of 61 added to the excitement. England ultimately clinched the three-match series with a 1-0 lead.
Duckett's unbeaten 107 came off just 78 balls, featuring 12 boundaries and two massive sixes. Meanwhile, Salt's fiery 61 off 28 deliveries included seven fours and four towering sixes.
The match started with an astonishing first over, where Salt plundered 18 runs off Mark Adair, equaling England's highest-ever opening over in ODI cricket and matching the world record of 19 set by South Africa in 2003 when Graeme Smith dismantled England's James Anderson.
England's stand-in captain Zak Crawley, filling in for regular white-ball skipper Jos Buttler, contributed significantly with a composed 51 off 42 balls.
England, batting first after Ireland won the toss and opted to field, had amassed a strong total of 280-4 in 31 overs when torrential rain abruptly halted proceedings. Players rushed back to the pavilion as the rain poured down.
Despite the heavy rain, it was disappointing that the match was officially abandoned barely half an hour later. Ironically, the sun soon bathed the ground in light, leaving fans and players frustrated.
This abandonment marked the second time in the series that weather played spoilsport, as the first game at Headingley last week never saw a ball bowled. However, England secured a 48-run victory in the second game at Trent Bridge on Saturday, captained by Crawley.
England's squad for the Ireland series was composed of fringe players, as their established white-ball stars rested ahead of the 50-over World Cup in India next month. Their journey to defend their World Cup title will commence with a high-stakes rematch of the 2019 final against New Zealand on October 5.
