IRE vs WI, 3rd ODI: Ireland beats Windies by two wickets to clinch the series with 2-1

IRE vs WI, 3rd ODI: McBrine’s all-round performance guided Ireland to an Iconic Win

Starting Ireland’s run chase on a high note, McBrine & Paul Stirling steadied their innings after opener William Porterfield was dismissed off the very first ball of their innings. Paul Stirling headed strong with the bat & ensured that Ireland walks ahead of the required run rate by scoring gleaming 44 off 38 balls in an innings featuring five fours & a six. However, Stirling was out at 73-2 to mount pressure on his side. But McBrine & Tector didn’t lose hope & stitched a 79 runs stand for the third wicket with McBrine continuing his onslaught with the bat & bringing up 59 runs off 100 balls before falling prey to Odean Smith’s delivery & leaving Ireland struggling at 152/3.

Wickets continued to fall for Ireland at regular intervals & when Tector was trapped for LBW off Roston Chase’s delivery after scoring 52 runs there was a ray of hope for the West Indies squad to turn around the game in their favour. Even Gareth Delany caught for a quick-fire 10 from five & a stunning catch in the slips by Jason Holder removed George Dockrell to leave Ireland eight-down with five runs required to win.

When all hopes of Ireland’s win seemed to be ended, Ireland’s lower order Mark Adair & Craig Young did the unexpected to get their team across the line & script history. Craig Young held his nerve to hit a boundary & register a historic two-wickets win in the decider ODI with 5.1 overs to spare.

West Indies won the first ODI by defending 269 runs, lost the second on Thursday after making 229, and finally lost the decider ODI thanks to the determined performance by Ireland’s team that helped them to register a thrilling win in the last over of their innings.