Andrew White
Former Ireland all-rounder

"We only had nine home games between 2009 and 2015 so they are really treasured occasions. It is such a depressing sight and it is the classic fear I have before any of these big games."

Dave Hansford: Really like the look of this England team. Poses a lot of questions for the established line-up. Unleash the talent.

Kyle McGrath: England still a closed shop. James Harris (Middlesex) gets nine wickets in an innings, still behind Finn lobbing them down in the early 80s.

And that is your lot. Comically, umpire Ian Ramage removed his hat and looked surprised, as if his headgear was sheltering him from the wet stuff. The players trudge off, the covers come on. How long before we see cricket again?

The rain is falling heavier now, with noticeable drops falling past the umpire's black hat. Still Finn, still an Irish struggle, spectators pulling on those see-through ponchos you're given at the log-flume. Another maiden, umpires to have a chat. In two overs, we'll have had 20, which would constitute an Ireland innings.

Chris Parker: Ireland had a good winter but they still have a long way to go, such a naive performance so far.

Duncan Mitchell: This England team would have done alright at the World Cup.

David Willey is rewarded for plugging away on a full length and keeps on that for the final two balls of his over to new man Gary Wilson, the very good Surrey batsman. Replays highlight just what a good catch it was by Jason Roy, his leap was goalkeeper-style. Decent stuff from new-look England.

Andrew White
Former Ireland all-rounder

"That's the value of wickets as England have been able to keep their close catchers in and it was a very good catch from Jason Roy. Now Ireland are back in some bother. Balbirnie chased a wide one, as Niall O'Brien had done. Ireland have their backs to the wall so this will be a very important phase."

What a catch! Jason Roy, take a bow. Andrew Balbirnie, he of the off-stump flash in the previous David Willey over, gets a thick edge towards Roy at second slip, with the Surrey man lunging to his right to take a very good snaffle above his head. That's a first England wicket for Willey, too. Another loose Ireland shot, the hosts not getting to grips with the conditions. They might fall before rain can save them.

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Ric Ellinger: How much is Tim Bresnan's impressive bowling today down to the fact that he has been bowling regularly for Yorkshire this season? 114 over and 14 wickets in 3 matches.

That's an absolute rozzer from Finn, nipping away from Balbirnie, who would need a bat the size of a door to get an edge. Cold, wet, bit in the deck, ball all over bat. The only down side about being in the field at the moment is that you're actually outside, rather than the warmth of the dressing room. Still, England are buzzing about, keeping warm. As long as the weather holds, they have a real chance here.

Andrew White
Former Ireland all-rounder

"There is big pressure on Ed Joyce. We need someone to go on and get a sizeable score of at least 60 or 70. It was a very good toss for England to win, but to be fair to them they have started very well.

"He looks very comfortable, everything is hitting the middle of the bat and it is always a joy to watch him play. He is one of the great gentlemen of the game. He is Ireland's Michael Hussey."

I say Ireland are trying to resist, but Balbirnie's flat-footed waft at Willey is the shot of man attempting to fall on his sword. No tickle, but close. This is good from Willey, not flashy, but camped on a good area, not distracted by the rotation of strike between right and left-hander. Amidst the Irish struggle, Ed Joyce is looking reasonably unflappable. Plenty on him now.

Andrew White
Former Ireland all-rounder

"Whenever big-time cricket is in Ireland you are always looking at the forecast. But the forecast is not good so how much more cricket will we have, who knows?

"The most important thing for Ireland is to establish a partnership, the last thing they want to do is lose another wicket."

Steven Finn, a man who was chastened by Brendon McCullum at the World Cup, is into the attack as rain begins to fall. More umbrellas, groundtsaff at the ready, umpires exchanging shifty glances. Finn not at top pace, but bowling good areas. Another maiden, the second in a row. England treading on Irish throats at the moment, home side trying to resist.

Charlie: Been raining steadily here in the Comeragh Mountains County Waterford for the last couple of hours. Afraid it may be heading your way.

Still Willey, a lengthy, angled run-up. He delivers the ball from a low trajectory, looking for some shape away from the left-handed Joyce on a full length. Under a sky that remains dark, sends down a maiden on a decent off-stump line. Colin Graves, the man who has promised/threatened an inquiry, is in the posh bit. Can't confirm if he's quaffing anything or not.

Andrew White
Former Ireland all-rounder

"Tim Bresnan has put batsmen under pressure and they are not sure whether to play it or leave it."

I said Bresnan's action didn't look too different and it isn't, but his position on the crease is definitely closer to the stumps. On his return to the side, he's bowling well and twice rattles new man Andrew Balbirnie on the pads. There's a few more umbrellas up, but England might fancy beating the rain too.

Andrew White
Former Ireland all-rounder

"It's disappointing. In these occasions as a batsman you have to recognise that Tim Bresnan is the experienced campaigner and sit tight and just pick up runs at the other end.

"Niall O'Brien seemed in a hurry, but it was a very loose shot. There is now a lot of pressure on Andrew Balbirnie."

Ireland are in danger of falling in a heap here. The third wicket goes down and the Irish have had a hand in all three downfalls. This time it's Niall O'Brien, almost dislocating his shoulders as he looks to give a wideish one from Tim Bresnan the beans. The left-hander can only get a thick edge to first slip, where James Vince gathers it in the bread basket. England well on top.

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