Ireland secured a dramatic 2-1 victory in the one-day series against West Indies as they held on for a two-wicket win after a late wobble at Sabina Park.
Andy McBrine’s four wickets helped contain the hosts to 212 in 44.4 overs. McBrine was then part of 72 and 79-run stands with Paul Stirling and Harry Tector before being dismissed for 59.
Tector’s 52 took Ireland to within 16 runs of victory, but four quick wickets fell before tailender Craig Young’s boundary helped them win in 44.5 overs.
Ireland had seemed set for a comfortable victory as Tector and Curtis Campher brought them to 190-4 but the duo’s dismissals left the visitors on 197-6 and the conclusion to the contest proved excruciatingly nervy as Gareth Delany hit a six and a four – but he departed with the tourists still five short of victory.
George Dockrell then fell without a further run being added to leave the hosts needing two wickets for the most unlikely of comebacks, before Young opened the face of the bat to steer a winning boundary to third man as Ireland completed a first away one-day international series win over an International Cricket Council full member.
After his second successive Player-of-the-Match award, McBrine was also named Player-of-the-Series as his move up the Irish batting order was thoroughly vindicated in addition to his superb bowling.
Ireland’s hopes of qualifying for next year’s World Cup were boosted by the series victory as the games were part of the World Super League competition which counts towards automatic qualification for the tournament in India.
Tector’s seventh ODI half-century in 10 games
Tector’s innings further enhanced the Dubliner’s growing reputation as he notched a seventh ODI half-century in 10 games.
Paul Stirling, captaining the Irish because of the COVID-enforced absence of regular skipper Andrew Balbirnie, contributed 44 runs before being trapped by Akeal Hosein as the visitors recovered well from the first-ball departure of veteran opener William Porterfield to look on course for a dominant win before their nervy conclusion.
Stirling said he was “really proud of the lads” after they clinched the series following the disappointment of losing last Saturday’s opener from a seemingly winning position when McBrine had to retire hurt after being hit on the head by a West Indian delivery during Ireland’s innings.
“Harry Tector has been amazing – his consistency over his last 10 knocks has been outstanding,” said the Belfast man.
“Andy McBrine epitomises what an Irish cricketer should be – the heart he shows.
“It’s not easy to come back from being hit on the head, but he showed commitment and passion to help win us the game today.”
Irish produce impressive bowling display
The Irish bowling effort was impressive as West Indies collapsed from 72-0 after 10.5 overs to 119-7 after 27.5 overs.
Young made the crucial breakthrough by dismissing Shai Hope who had contributed 53 of the hosts’ first-wicket partnership.
Seamer Young then saw off the other opener Justin Greaves before McBrine’s opening three wickets saw the Windies plummet to 119-7.
Jason Holder helped steady the hosts’ innings as they put on 63 for the eighth wicket before the former skipper was crucially run out for 44 by Delany.
McBrine then had Hosein caught and bowled for his fourth wicket, and Young wrapped up the West Indies innings by removing Alzarri Joseph after a last-wicket stand of 20. (BBC Sport)
