5.43pm A slight potential spanner in the works - a rain shower has just persuaded the groundstaff to roll out the covers. Hopefully only a temporary measure. It cut Kevin Pietersen off in full flow during a Sky Sports batting masterclass, but it hasn't driven him indoors.

Correction, the masterclass is prerecorded! As you were... Double correction! Nope, the masterclass is live, but Heavy was out the back getting some scoff, so didn't even notice the covers come on. Either way, they are off now, and we are ready to restart shortly! What a lot of not a lot!

Rory: "Out of interest, why can't the rest of the world be a bit more proactive and crack on and play some cricket like England have?" Two basic reasons. One, money. As eloquently expressed by Jason Holder at the end of the West Indies tour. And two, the time of the year. The pandemic has so far taken place on top of the English summer when few other countries are playing. But we've already seen that the IPL will take place in the UAE, and Australia will doubtless have some tricks up their sleeves when their season rolls around...

5.30pm Ireland finish on 212 for 9, a much better score than the 172 they got in the first ODI, with Campher once again the main man. McBrine and Simi Singh played valuable hands too. But will this be enough to test England? Not if they bat as per form, you'd think. The new ball nibbled around a fair bit but under the sunshine, this became a good track to bat on. Adil Rashid with 3 for 34 was England's best bowler. We'll be back shortly for England's innings, with Miller taking the reins.

Arunav: "Rooting for a better score from the Irish. They didn't disappoint me. Would be interesting to see how England approached their batting. "

Topley will finish the innings.

Stephen: "Ireland's batsmen do better in Game 2, but so will England's: big score from Barstow predicted!"