WI vs IRE | 3rd ODI: Ireland etch name in record books, clinch series 2-1

Ireland created history in Jamaica after beating West Indies in the third ODI to clinch the three-match series 2-1. Chasing 213, the visitors lost a wicket on the very first ball of the innings after William Porterfield was dismissed for a golden duck by Alzarri Joseph. But a fine piece of batting from Paul Stirling, Andy McBrine and Harry Tector got the Irish team back in the hunt. 

Stirling and McBrine first steadied the ship with a 73-run stand for the second wicket before Stirling was trapped in front of the stumps by Akeal Hosein for 44 off 38. McBrine was then joined by Tector in the middle and the two batters stitched a partnership of 79 runs for the third wicket. 

McBrine eventually departed for 59 off 100 deliveries and his dismissal certainly broke the shackles as Ireland began to lose wickets at regular intervals and were reduced to 197/6 with Tector also back in the hut. 

But Gareth Delany chipped in with 10 off 5 that helped the visiting team inch closer to target before Craig Young and Mark Adair took the team over the line without losing any further wickets. Ireland won the match by 2 wickets in the 45th over. 

Hosein and Roston Chase picked up three wickets each for the side. 

Earlier, West Indies were off to a flying start, courtesy an aggressive knock of 53 off 39 deliveries from Shai Hope. But Hope’s departure pushed the West Indies batting unit on back foot as they lost wickets quickly and were left tottering at 119/7. 

Jason Holder then took the onus on himself and added runs to the tally before he was run out for 44 off 60 leaving the Caribbean side at 182/8 in the 41st over. Apart from him, Hosein (23 off 36) and Odean Smith (20* off 10) also made some contributions that helped the side to go past the 200-run mark before getting bundled out for 212. 

McBrine scalped a four-wicket haul for Ireland while Young had three wickets to his name eventually. 

Stirling later expressed delight and noted that it was a good comeback from the side especially after losing the first game. 

“Delighted and very proud of the lads, To comeback from 0-1 was amazing. He (Balbirnie) will be absolutely chuffed for all us and he will be watching every ball and supporting us from the hotel. He (Tector) has been really consistent and he is really hungry to score runs, He (McBrine) epitomizes what an Irish cricket should be and the commitment and the passion he shows on the field is outstanding,” he said in the post-match presentation.