Match Center

Right then, that's all we have from this match. Ireland successfully managed to shock West Indies despite having all the off-field issues related to the Covid-19 cases. This series win will do a world of good to their confidence. For West Indies, it's time to return to the drawing board and rethink their overall game. Their performance is on the decline and a serious brush-up is required. On that note, it's time to bid you farewell. We look forward to your company in future. Cheers!

Paul Stirling, the victorious captain of Ireland, says that they are delighted with this win, especially after going 1-0 down. He is happy that the toss favoured them. Shares that Andy Balbirnie is loving life back in the hotel room and he will be buzzing for the lads. Praises Harry Tector for an amazing series and hopes that he continues to impress. Regarding Andy McBrine, Stirling replies that he has only good words for him and further adds that he epitomizes what an Irish cricket should be!

Kieron Pollard, the captain of West Indies, says that it's a sad day for them and he takes full responsibility as the leader of the team. Tells us that it's a bitter pill to swallow. Feels that they have a batting problem and cannot hide from that. Admits that they have not been up to the standard. Pollard doesn't want to blame his bowlers much as the wicket flattened out in the afternoon. He feels that it's a holistic sort of approach that needs to take place. Opines that throughout the region, they tend to praise mediocrity that's coming out and quickly adds that he might get into trouble for saying that. Further says that the desire for excellence is there in the squad, they train hard and want to get better but it won't happen overnight. Signs off by saying that as a team they need to sit down and think deeply about where they need to take the West Indies cricket.

Andy McBrine is the Player of the Match and Series! The all-rounder says that this victory means a lot as the last few weeks have not been easy for them. Adds that there was a nice bit of spin for him and he enjoyed bowling here. Shares that he struggled for timing with the bat. Talking about his partnership with Harry Tector, Andy McBrine tells that they tried to keep things simple as there was no scoreboard pressure. Praises Harry Tector for having an exceptional series. Andy signs off by saying that he wants to contribute as much as possible to the team.

Presentation time...

West Indies will be deeply disappointed with their efforts - both with the bat and ball. They threw away the advantage after a rollicking start to the match and then with the ball, their bowlers failed to create timely breakthroughs. Alzarri Joseph and Romario Shepherd were decent but never threatened to pick wickets. Akeal Hosein was the best bowler by far once he found his rhythm and picked up three wickets. Roston Chase also bagged a 3-fer and took advantage of the nerves shown by Ireland to close the game. The hosts were once again mediocre with their catching as they offered life to Paul Stirling on zero and also put down Andy McBrine on 28.

Apart from the first 10 overs of this match, Ireland always stayed ahead of the hosts. Their exceptional comeback with the ball forced West Indies on the back foot and they never recovered. The stand between Jason Holder and Akeal Hosein offered them some runs to fight with but despite picking the wicket of William Porterfield with the first ball of the chase, the hosts failed to capitalize. Paul Stirling and Andy McBrine steadied the innings with their strong association and McBrine extended it further along with Harry Tector. With victory in sight, Ireland's inexperience showed up as they slipped from 190/4 to 208/8 but Craig Young maintained a cool head to hit the winning runs.

A bit of hara-kiri towards the end but Ireland eventually crossed the line to create history by taking down West Indies in their own den. A massive moment for the Irish boys who struggled to put out a team of eleven players at one stage but showed character to take the fight to the Windies and earn 20 critical points for the ICC Men's CWC Super League. Courtesy of a 2-1 series win, Ireland have now leapfrogged Australia in the table and they are placed at number 3, below England and Bangladesh.

FOUR! Craig Young has done it! Fractionally short in length, outside off, Young stays on the back foot and opens the face of his bat late to find the gap between short third man and backward point. It races away to the fence. IRELAND WIN BY 2 WICKETS!

Chance of a run out, MISSED! Fuller in length, on middle, Young flicks it straight to short fine leg and sets off for a run. He is sent back as Chase misses his shy at the striker's end.

Beaten again! A touch short around off, skidding off the surface, Young pushes inside the line and misses.

Another dot. Lands it on a length outside off, shaping away, Craig feels for it and gets beaten.

Big swing and a miss! Back of a length, around off, Young hangs back and tries to power it over the leg side but misses.

In the air, just out of the reach of the leg slip fielder. Turn and bounce, from around middle, Young tries to flick but it takes his gloves and flies wide of Odean Smith. A single is taken.

Very full and on middle, Adair knocks it down to long on for a run. 4 needed more.

Fullish and on middle, flicked to mid-wicket where Pollard made a tumbling stop.

Full and on off, Adair defends it back to the bowler.