Highlight
An impressive 24-run win over Ireland in the opening one-day international put the West Indies in command.
A debutant Shamarh Brooks led the way with 93 in his first ODI appearance.
During Ireland’s reply, they went down from 165-1 to 245-1.
at age 33, Shamar Brooks made his one-day international debut when West Indies defeated Ireland by 24 runs at Sabina Park in the first match of a three-match series.
On the first of a three-match series, West Indies defeated Ireland by 24 runs with Shamarh Brooks leading the way with 93 in his ODI debut at the age of 33. In response, Ireland went from 165-1 to 245 all out after the West Indies had batted first. The 29-year-old Barbados batsman made his Test debut with nine boundaries and three sixes in his 89-ball innings, despite his late growth as an international cricketer.
It was Kieron Pollard and Eoin Brooks who shared a 155-run 5th wicket stand.
In the 37th over, Andy McBrine bowled three consecutive sixes to help his team escape a precarious 62-4 score.
Mark Adair, the team’s opening bowler, finished with 3-38 off 8.5 overs, including the lbw decision that led to Brooks’ removal.
For their part, the Irish batsman Andy Balbirnie scored 71 runs and Harry Tector chipped in with 53.
Tector had five fours and a six while Balbirnie had seven fours and a six to his credit.
West Indies secured a crucial victory in a series that is part of the path to the World Cup in 2023 as they took eight wickets in a row to put themselves in a strong position.
While Alzarri Joseph completed with 3-55, Romario Shepherd finished with 3-50 that included the crucial wicket of Balbirnie.
Odean Smith’s debuting fast bowler Odean Smith smacked McBrine on the helmet in the 16th over, adding to Ireland’s woes.
When he was forced to retire due to a concussion, McBrine had made 34 appearances.
Both opener Paul Stirling and all-rounder Shane Getkate have been ruled out of Ireland’s one-day international against India after testing positive for Covid-19 in Florida.
On Friday night, Simi Singh and Ben White were both suspended for failing a drug test.
Because of the Covid outbreak, players including Evin Lewis, Fabian Allen, and Anderson Phillip were unable to play for the West Indies.
A prolific run-scorer in the T20 World Cup for West Indies last year, Shimron Hetmyer, has been dropped for failing to meet fitness criteria.
On Tuesday, the series’ second game will be played at the same location.
Scores in brief:
Ireland 245 all out in 49.1 overs v West Indies 269 all out in 48.5 overs (Shamarh Brooks 93, Kieron Pollard 69) (Andy Balbirnie 71, Harry Tector 53)
Winning margin: West Indies 22.4 over Australia
The Windward Islands have a 1-0 lead in the series.
Second ODI: Sabina Park, Jan. 11, 2014
Third ODI: Sabina Park, January 14
All-out ODI: Sabina Park, Jan. 16, only 20-over contest
