Rain washes out both scheduled matches in T20 World Cup

MELBOURNE (AFP) Rain washed out both scheduled matches of T20 World Cup on Friday.

A highly anticipated clash between Australia and England was abandoned without a ball being bowled because of rain on Friday, leaving their group too close to call.

It was the second match of the day after Ireland v Afghanistan to be washed out at the MCG and means all four sides take a point each in their hunt for a place in the semi-finals.

New Zealand lead Group 1 on three points -- the same as England, Ireland and Australia, but the Black Caps have a better net run-rate and have played a game less.

Sri Lanka and Afghanistan have two points. The top two will reach the semi-finals.

Four matches have now been rained off at the tournament in Australia.

The Ireland-Afghanistan match was abandoned without a bowl balled due to rain at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, leaving the teams to split the points. It was winless Afghanistan's second wash-out in the Super 12's after their New Zealand game at Melbourne was abandoned due to poor weather on Wednesday.

The no-result left Ireland second in Group 1 on three points after three matches behind leading New Zealand, though the Black Caps have a game in hand. Afghanistan remain bottom of the Group on two points.