Life doesn't always offer a second chance, or a second innings. But the good folk of Northampton will have another opportunity, as the next game in this T20 series will take place at the same venue on Friday, also at 19:00 BST.

But the Men's World Cup continues apace - with New Zealand taking on South Africa tomorrow - while on the BBC tonight, you can watch Italy v Brazil, or Jamaica v Australia, both from the Women's World Cup football - and follow live text on England Under-21s' game with France.

Thanks for your company - sorry we didn't have any cricket to bring you. So I'll leave you with the highlights of England's men's incredible game with Afghanistan. Hope you can join us on Friday.

Match abandoned.

Yes, the departure of those three umpires very much had the look of a "they've called this" scenario.

With no realistic prospect of getting even a five-over thrash in tonight, play was abandoned just after 20:00 BST.

If you saw Fran Wilson's breathtaking catch in the final ODI last week, she's been sharpening her skills up in the dressing-room.

Katherine Brunt offering up the catches.

Hampshire left-arm pace bowler Katie George, recently the recipient of a rookie central contract, isn't officially in the squad for these T20s, but has been with her England team-mates - and doing her bit with the local kids!

The umpires - and their hot pink umbrellas - have left the middle.

And with no mopping up being done yet, I have a bad feeling about this...

It could be worse - at least they're not trying to play at Worcester today...

Natalie Germanos
BBC Test Match Special

The fact that the umpires have umbrellas open tells us that they're concerned about the rain. It's a steady drizzle at the moment, it'll take about an hour to dry the ground - which they've not started doing yet - and that's starting to take us close to the 21:29 BST cut-off time.

Three people under bright umbrellas having a gander out to the middle.

Could they be umpires?

Or duck-spotting enthusiasts?

TMS commentator Henry Moeran has captured the ducks on camera!

Jules Randle: There are a pair of ducks on the covers

Rain delays startpublished at 19:42 BST 18 June 2019

19:42 BST 18 June 2019

For the first time in about an hour, there are one or two members of the Northampton groundstaff wandering on to have a look at the edge of the covers.

But there's no major clean-up starting, the entire square and run-ups are still under canvas.

TMS are now reflecting on the Men's World Cup game at Old Trafford, on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra - with Eleanor Oldroyd joined by Jonathan Agnew and Michael Vaughan.

We'll let you know as soon as we get any more news, positive or otherwise, from Northampton.

Another listen I can recommend is ex-England batsman Robin Smith - an absolute hero to many England fans of a certain age - speaking to the Tuffers and Vaughan Cricket Show on BBC Radio 5 Live about his struggles with alcoholism, depression and suicidal thoughts since his retirement from cricket.

It's a bit of a difficult listen at times, for those of us who remember 'The Judge' in his prime, taking on the fearsome West Indies pace bowlers - but you can hear the full interview here.

And If you are feeling emotionally distressed and would like details of organisations which offer advice and support, visit bbc.co.uk/actionline

Henry Moeran
BBC Test Match Special

The rain may have just about abated. It's just about whether we can get a game in. We've just heard the cut-off for a five-over thrash is 21:29 BST.

Rain delays startpublished at 19:30

19:30

To recap: Rain has delayed the scheduled 19:00 BST start at Northampton and there seems no immediate prospect of it stopping, which would allow the clean-up operation to start.

The latest play can begin is at 21:29 BST for a five-over game.

Naturally, we'll immediately update you if there's any change in the weather.

Even though they finished well short of their target, Afghanistan were typically entertaining, and played their part in setting a new record for the most sixes hit in a World Cup game (33).

That's more than there was in the ENTIRE 1975 World Cup (28).

Dani Hazell
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special

On the England-West Indies ODI series:

The batting from England has been exciting, Amy Jones has got off to a good start in nearly every game and the intent is exciting. I'm sure they are going to take that into the Ashes which will make for a great series.

With the rain continuing in Northampton, Test Match Special are looking back at England's epic Men's World Cup game against Afghanistan at Old Trafford today, and playing some highlights.

Naturally, you can also watch some highlights of the day here on the BBC Sport website, if you're in the UK. Here's a taster of the England innings:

Henry Moeran
BBC Test Match Special

The super soppers are still waiting to start the clean-up operation. If they were out there already, they'd still be out there, but the fact it's raining means they can't start the clean-up.

We're hoping to get a bit of cricket tonight, but at the moment it's far from certain.