Rain ruins first New Zealand-Ireland match

Rain forced the abandonment of New Zealand women's first game of their three-match series against Ireland at Clontarf, Dublin today.

New Zealand batted first and scored 249/6 in the 42 overs they had available to them.

The teams left the field after 25 overs had been bowled and the match was reduced to a 42-over affair.

Rebecca Rolls (88) and Nicola Payne (60) gave the New Zealanders a fine start.

Other batsmen were: Emily Drumm (two), Kathryn Ramel (20), Kate Pulford (seven), Sara McGlashan (25), Fiona Fraser (26 not out) and Rachel Pullar (one not out).

Ireland batted for 6.1 overs before rain forced the abandonment of the game. At that stage they were 18 for one wicket.

The team's next game is on Wednesday at Malahide in Dublin.