Women’s World T20: England v Sri Lanka abandoned – as it didn’t happen

England’s opening match of the World Twenty20 against Sri Lanka, due to take place on Saturday in St Lucia, was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to torrential rain.

England were expected to beat the 8th-ranked Sri Lankans but with both teams now claiming a point apiece, the setback is an early blow to England’s hopes of “doing the double” and following up last year’s 50-over World Cup win with the T20 title.

England’s second match against Bangladesh on Monday, which they were again expected to win easily, is also now in doubt because of the unseasonably high levels of rainfall, piling on the pressure for their later, trickier group-stage encounters against South Africa and defending champions West Indies.

Captain Heather Knight described it as “very frustrating” and said her side were “desperate to get our tournament going, but today it wasn’t to be. We’ve just got to be ready when it comes.”

Shall we try this again on Monday? Then, it will be England taking on Bangladesh at the same time, 8pm GMT. Stick with us on the cricket page for Raf Nicholson’s take on what Heather Knight, the England captain, has to say in her press conference. Bye for now from sodden St Lucia.