Jos Buttler refuses to blame rain after shock Ireland defeat

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England were outplayed with both bat and ball as Ireland claimed a famous win (AP)

Jos Buttler refused to blame the Melbourne rain for Englands shock defeat by Ireland, accepting the better team won in Melbourne.

England were loose with the ball after putting their opponents in to bat at the MCG, but dragged things back well as the boys in green slipped from 103 for one to 157 all out.

But with the constant threat of rain, Englands reply never really found its feet. Buttler, Alex Hales and Ben Stokes all fell cheaply and, with the constant threat of a downpour in the air, they never got above the DLS by score.

They were still short when the weather turned, leaving the Irish to celebrate a memorable five-run win.

Asked if he had any qualifications about the early finish, Buttler told Sky Sports: Not really, it was only going to get heavier. They outplayed us in all three facets of the game. The better team won today.

Especially in the first 10 overs with the ball we were poor, he added to the BBC. We were a long way short of where we needed to be and we let Ireland get away from us.

We let them score both sides of the wicket when it was favorable for bowling. We won the toss had everything in our favor but we didnt take advance of that.

The second 10 overs we were much better, we let Ireland have 20 or 30 too many in the first half and so we were under pressure. We managed to restrict them but they showed us how to bowl out there.

Myself getting out in the first over, thats never ideal and it put pressure on the rest of our batting. They bowled well and certainly used the conditions better.

We won the toss and thing to bowl knowing wed have the advantage of knowing what wed have to do when it came around to batting, but we werent able to make the most of it.

Friday is massive. This result has put a lot of pressure on us now but its as big as it can get now to get us up for it, Australia v England at the MCG.

Irish skipper Andrew Balbirnie reveled in a famous win at one of the games great venues.

Its amazing and its emotional because weve never played a game of cricket here, he told the BBC. To come here and play the tournament favourites, with so many big names, and put on a show in front of friends and family and so many people around the world is very satisfying.

To do this at one of the most amazing cricket grounds in the world is pretty special.

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