Overnight rain delayed the start of yesterday's Triple Crown match at Malahide, reducing it to 43 overs each, and by the end, England's 36-run victory resulted in Ireland's first whitewash in this tournament.

Crucial to England's success was the 62-run seventh-wicket stand by Dave Clarke and David Pennett. Matt Dwyer, with 3 for 17 off nine overs, was Ireland's best bowler.

It soon became clear that the home team was never going to get the runs needed for victory. Dwayne McGerrigle, coming in with the score on 90 for 7, displayed the sort of elan notably absent among too many of his colleagues. He hit two sixes and a four from successive balls.