West Indies advanced to the Super Eight stage of the World Twenty20 after their Group B match against Ireland was abandoned due to rain on Monday.

West Indies progressed on a superior run rate despite failing to win a match at the tournament, going down to Australia by 17 runs through the Duckworth/Lewis Method in another rain-affected game last week.

Ireland lost to Australia by seven wickets.

West Indies will play England in their first Super Eight match in Pallekele on Thursday.

West Indies captain Darren Sammy praised his bowlers for improving their performance and said the setback against Australia was a one-off.

"We have strong belief in ourselves. We've got England, I think our first game, and we are looking to start off very well," he said. "We have a good Twenty20 record against them."

Ireland captain William Porterfield said his men need to play Test nations regularly to improve and that his board's target to be playing five-day matches by 2020 is achievable.

Before the rain set in on Monday Ireland made 6-129 in 19 overs after losing the toss at R. Premadasa Stadium.

Niall O'Brien top scored with 25 and Gary Wilson made 21.

West Indies' hard-hitting batsman, Chris Gayle, was the pick of the bowlers, taking 2-21 from three overs.