As Ireland advanced to the Twenty20 World Cup Super 12 on Friday and shockingly eliminated the two-time champions West Indies, veteran opener Paul Stirling smashed an undefeated 66.
As Ireland advanced to the Twenty20 World Cup Super 12 on Friday and shockingly eliminated the two-time champion West Indies, veteran opener Paul Stirling smashed an undefeated 66. The Caribbean team was held to 146-5 by disciplined bowling, with Gareth Delany claiming a career-high 3-16 before the Irish cruised to their mark in Hobart with 15 balls remaining and only one wicket lost. At his seventh World Cup, Stirling and captain Andy Balbirnie contributed to an explosive 73-run opening stand that sped up Ireland’s run chase.
When Zimbabwe plays Scotland later on Friday, the final Super 12 spot will be decided.
The West Indies headed to Australia with a new-look team after players like Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo, and Kieron Pollard retired and Andre Russell was passed over, having won the tournament in 2012 and 2016.
They made a disastrous start against Scotland, losing by 42 runs, but they bounced back to easily defeat Zimbabwe.
However, Ireland, which is competing in their seventh straight World Cup and has previously advanced past the first round only once, in 2009, once again ran into trouble.
At a windy Bellerive Oval in Hobart, the West Indies won the toss and elected to bat. The Irish bowlers threw down nine dot balls among their first 15.
Kyle Mayers launched for a Barry McCarthy delivery out of frustration, but Harry Tector intercepted him at mid-off for one.
the risky Johnson Charles hit 4-4-6 off Curtis Campher, but his luck ran out in the following over when he sliced Simi Singh’s spinner for 24 and was caught by Campher.
After being dropped two balls later, Brandon King, who had missed the West Indies’ previous game due to illness, took advantage of the situation by slamming four boundaries to lead his team to a 67-2 halftime lead.
After receiving treatment for a hamstring problem, Evin Lewis missed 13 games, ending a 44-run partnership.
Captain Nicholas Pooran (13) and Rovman Powell (6) were unable to hold off a strong attack as King (62 not out) tried his best to advance the score.
With Stirling and Balbirnie on a mission, Ireland scored 54 runs in their reply, scoring eight boundaries, including four sixes, in the first five overs.
After an entertaining 37 off 23 balls to break a crucial opening stand, Balbirnie was caught by Mayers in the eighth over thanks to the spin of Akeal Hosein.
The run rate decreased, but Stirling, playing in his 177th international match, persevered and, together with Lorcan Tucker (45 not out), led his team to victory. Stirling eventually scored his 21st T20 half-century.
