Cricket continues to vie for attention with the investigation into Bob Woolmer's death.

Yesterday, Ireland's cricketers were glued to the television set in the lobby of their hotel while Pakistan played Zimbabwe down the road at Sabina Park.

After talk of net run rates and wickets per over, it was a combination of brutal strokeplay and unseasonal rain that settled the issue of progression from Group D.

Imran Nazir was rendered stroke-less by Ireland's bowlers on Saturday. Yesterday, he bludgeoned 160 off 121 balls as Zimbabwe's bowlers were dispatched to all four corners of the ground.

Zimbabwe were 30 for 2 when the rains came down, chasing Pakistan's mighty 350. Later they came back on to chase a revised total under the Duckworth Lewis system but came up well short to guarantee Ireland's passage.

The groundstaff allowed water to spill from the protective plastic onto the wicket during the delay. It was a strange thing to do. But yesterday was a strange day to be watching cricket.

Late yesterday afternoon play resumed with the umpires hoping to reach the 20 overs of play that would allow the Duckworth-Lewis scoring method come into use.

The announcement that Woolmer's death was being treated as suspicious, made at a hastily arranged press conference on Tuesday evening, hung over proceedings.

In the absence of facts, rumour and counter-rumour swept through the islands. Murder? Match-fixing? Nothing is being ruled out. The London Evening Standard headline ran "Woolmer killed by match-fixing mafia!". The story ran quotes from former Pakistan Test player Sarfraz Nawaz, claiming poison was found in Woolmer's bedroom.

The coach's wife, Gill, moved to distance her husband from match fixing allegations centring on Pakistan's defeat against Ireland.

"I don't see any conspiracy in his death," she told Indian TV station NDTV. "He had nothing to do with the match-fixing controversy and any such person being involved is highly unlikely. We never got any threats as far as I know."

Some of the Ireland players and team officials sat in the wicker chairs in front of the giant TV screen that dominates the entrance hall. They are due to train at the Kensington Cricket Club ground on the other side of Kingston later this afternoon.

Coach Adrian Birrell studied under Woolmer when the former Pakistan coach led the ICC's High Performance Programme, designed to strengthen cricket in the Associate countries. He said he was stunned by the developments of the last 24 hours.

The thought that Ireland's game against Pakistan could have been at the target of match-fixing was equally unbelieveable. "It has never crossed my mind," he said.

Across town, the atmosphere at Sabina Park caught the mood. There was a minute's silence before the start of play, and the noise level didn't get much higher all day.

The Pakistan team dedicated the match to the memory of Woolmer and captain Inzamam ul-Haq seemed intent on marking the occasion in his own way. He raced to 37, in his last ever One-Day International, before skying a catch to Williams running backwards at cover.

There followed a poignant moment as first the Zimbabwe players and then his own team-mates rushed to be with him as he walked from the ground. Inzy was clearly upset, wiping tears from his eyes.

The rest of the game progressed in an atmosphere devoid of such emotion.

Last Saturday, the Mound Stand opposite the old Kingston Cricket Club pavilion was awash with colour. The Blarney Army was in town for a St Patrick's Day that continued well in to Sunday.

That was then.

They were replaced yesterday by a handful of locals who looked on semi-interested from the grass or in the temporary bleachers under the giant scoreboard. As real life loomed back at the hotel, they weren't alone in keeping just one eye on the cricket.