West Indies clinched a thrilling one-wicket win over Ireland in Barbados this Thursday (January 9) to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series; chasing the visitors' 237/9, the hosts needed five runs off the last over with just one wicket left in the shed, which they couldn't get until the penultimate ball when after much drama because of the mix-ups and the run-out opportunities the Irish missed, No.11 Sheldon Cottrell sent the ball out of the park to take his team to victory.
Earlier, batting first after winning the toss, Ireland posted a modest total as while opener Paul Stirling (63) scored a typically free-flowing half-century, the rest failed to provide him the kind of substantial support he would've been hoping for; Kevin O Brien (31), Simi Singh (34) scored thirties but Ireland needed more.
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Alzarri Joseph was the star performer with the ball for the West Indies, taking four wickets in his brilliant spell of fast bowling (4/32). While Alzarri dislodged the Irish top-order, Cottrell (3/51) didn't let the lower-half settle down, complimenting the rampaging youngster very well.
In the run-chase, West Indies began disastrously, losing three early wickets for just 20-odd runs, before thankfully, Nicholas Pooran (52), skipper Kieron Pollard (40) steadied the ship with a solid partnership.
Once they departed, though, the situation looked grim and the Calypso Kings needed someone to keep things afloat. This is when No.9 Hayden Walsh (46*) came to the party with a fine knock; he got able support from Joseph (16) in another very crucial stand before Joseph was dismissed. Walsh was then joined by last man Cotrell (7*) but they didn't give up and took the responsibility to take their team past the finish line which they ultimately did.
Credit must be given to the Irish bowlers, Andy McBrine (2/37), Barry McCarthy (2/28) and Simi Singh (3/48), for making the target look far better than it actually was.
The third ODI will be played Grenada on January 12.
Brief Scores:
Ireland 237/9 in 50 overs (Paul Stirling 63; Alzarri Joseph 4/32) lost to West Indies 242/9 in 49.5 overs (Nicholas Pooran 52; Simi Singh 3/48) by one wicket
