Joe Root’s hopes of a final World Cup warm-up at Headingley were washed out after the first match of their ODI Series against Ireland was abandoned due to concerns over the bowlers’ run-ups.
Root had requested to play at his home ground – the only member of the tournament team to feature in what was essentially a second string – after struggling for form in the recent clashes with New Zealand, but saw his hopes of a confidence-boosting innings dashed.
