Ireland produced an amazing result against the West Indies on their own doorstep winning an exciting game by just 4 runs!
This first match of the T20 Series between West Indies and Ireland was once again at the National Stadium Grenada. Two more games will follow in St Kitts later this week
Andrew Balbirnie won the toss and once again elected to bat, much to the disappointment of the local fans. But, ironically they received a batting treat from the Irish openers O’Brien and Stirling. They pounded the Caribbean attack and reached 154 without loss in barely 13 overs. Stirling (95) was brutal, 8 sixes and 6 fours, but unfortunately, he failed to reach the century he thoroughly deserved.
O’Brien (48) just missed his half-century, but this allowed the middle-order to reach 208-7, thanks to Wilson (17) and Delany (19). It was a daunting total and a challenging target for the hosts. But course, the Caribbean stars revelled in the challenge!
The West Indies batsmen have powerful attackers and Simmons (22) and Lewis (53) wasted no time. McCarthy, Singh, Young, Little and Dockrell were put to the sword! But the bowlers never gave up despite the onslaught, and were aided by some outstanding catches on the boundary. The match was delicately poise when West Indies reached 105 for 2 at the 10 overs stage.
Match on!
However, big sixes earlier from Stirling and O’Brien were replaced by big sixes from Simmons, Lewis, Hetmyer, Pooran and skipper Pollard. But once again great catches win matches and the Windies started to stutter in the final overs as wickets tumbled.
The drama was ended in the final over with West Indies needing 12 to win and Little the bowler. And what an over he produced as he captured the dangerous wickets of Rutherford and Bravo and Ireland won by 4. Little took 3-29 in this cameo performance.
One up and two to go. Roll on St Kitts.
IRELAND 208-7 (Stirling 94/O’Brien 48/Delany 19/Wilson 17)
WEST INDIES 204-7 (Lewis 53/Pollard 31/Little 3-29)
Ireland won by 4 runs.
Man of the Match-Paul Stirling
JCH
