Ireland scripted history by registering its first-ever series win in West Indies across all formats when they won the decider ODI by two wickets in Kingston on Sunday.
IRE vs WI, 3rd ODI
Ireland scripted history by registering its first-ever series win in West Indies across all formats when they won the decider ODI by two wickets in Kingston on Sunday. Ireland displayed a gritty performance & clinched their first-ever series win in West Indies thanks to Andy McBrine’s match-winning performance that handed him with the ‘Man of the Match & ‘man of the Series’ award. Andy McBrine scalped four wickets & then ended as Ireland’s highest run-scorer by amassing 59 runs to help his side win the thrilling series decider ODI.
McBrine’s displayed an outstanding performance throughout the series by scoring 128 runs & scalping 10 wickets. His brilliant performance helped him to yield the man of the series award. The match started with the Windies batting first at Sabina Park. Windies got off to a flier start with Shai Hope bringing up his fastest half-century of his ODI career reaching the landmark in just 37 balls. But Shai Hope’s departure in the 11th over resulted in the collapse of the West Indies batting order as they lost three wickets in quick succession for four runs to exert pressure on the middle order.
Ireland’s Craig Young & McBrine continued to create havoc with the ball. Soon McBrine struck for the third time to dismiss Windies Captain Kieron Pollard for 19 runs in the slips to leave Windies reeling for runs.
However, Jason Holder’s blistering 44, Akeal Hosein 23 & Odean Smith 20* helped West Indies surpass 200 runs mark. Then came Young who scalped his third wicket to close West Indies innings at 212 in 45 runs finishing with figures of 3/43.
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.