Cricket-Rain, Ireland put England's T20 World Cup in peril

MELBOURNE -England's hopes of reaching the T20 World Cup semi-finals suffered a major dampener on Wednesday after the former champions slumped to a shock loss to Ireland as rain forced an early finish at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Chasing 158 for victory, England were 105 for five with 5.3 overs left when the rain came, leaving them stranded at five runs behind the Duckworth-Lewis (DL) par score.

With the start also delayed by rain, Ireland were soon confirmed winners, throwing the Super 12s wide open and triggering rain-dancing among green-clad pockets of fans.

"Myself getting out first over didn't help, we never managed to get initiative," said captain Jos Buttler, who was caught behind for a two-ball duck.

"Ireland were excellent, they outplayed us. We made a mistake here (which) has made it difficult in a tough group."

Slow in their chase, England left themselves vulnerable to the elements and the DL method, the mathematical formula used to calculate a victory target when bad weather interrupts play.

However, Ireland, who have already upset West Indies at the tournament, produced a disciplined bowling performance to restrict England's big hitters.

They celebrated another famous win over the English, having stunned them by three wickets at the 2011 World Cup in India.

England's task only gets harder as they face champions Australia at the MCG on Friday, a virtual knockout for both.

"Certainly if you needed a game to get going then England-Australia is one of those," said Buttler.

In only the second T20 match played between the sides - the first having been washed out at the 2010 World Cup in the West Indies - England's chase began disastrously.

After Buttler's dismissal, Josh Little had the out-of-form Alex Hales caught for