Cricket news round-up – 27 May: Both warm-up matches washed out, Gabriel injured

The World Cup 2019 warm-up match between South Africa and West Indies had to be called off after 76 balls of cricket, though that was enough for Shannon Gabriel to leave with a strain mid-off. The Bangladesh–Pakistan match did not witness even a ball.

In other news, West Indies Women went 1-0 up against Ireland Women, while Mahela Jayawardene turned down a role to be part of Sri Lanka‘s World Cup campaign.

Injury concern for West Indies during South Africa match

Multiple bursts of rain at Bristol brought the West Indies-South Africa warm-up match to a halt after 76 balls. Hashim Amla (51* in 46 balls) and Quinton de Kock (37* in 30) added 95 in 76 balls by then.

Shannon Gabriel came on to bowl in the ninth over but strained a muscle after bowling two balls. There was a rain break at that point, and Andre Russell completed the over once play resumed.

No play at Cardiff

If the Bristol match was a damp squib, it was nothing compared to the one at Cardiff, where not a single ball was bowled. Pakistan, who had lost to Afghanistan, lost their last opportunity of match practice before the tournament. Bangladesh still have a match against India.

Easy win for West Indies Women

West Indies won the first T20I against Ireland, at Dublin, by 64 runs. Powered by Stafanie Taylor’s 53-ball 75, they put up 139/4 despite some tight bowling from Celeste Raack (4-0-16-1), Kim Garth (4-0-19-1), and Sophie MacMahon (4-0-20-1).

Ireland were then shot out for 75 in 18.4 overs despite Garth’s 55-ball 46. All five West Indies bowlers were brilliant, with Afy Fletcher (3.4-0-14-4) and Chinelle Henry (4-0-15-2) being the pick of the lot.

Mahela turns down role

Mahela Jayawardene, coach of the IPL-winning Mumbai Indians side, has turned down an offer to be part of Sri Lanka’s World Cup unit on the grounds that no clarity was provided to him regarding the role.

“There’s no point in me getting involved tactically, or whatever, if I don’t have a say in the whole structure. The team is selected and everything is done and dusted. There is no room for me to come in and add something,” he told Sunday Times.