Related Links : ICC World Cup 2011 | World Cups Homepage | Scorecard of Ireland Vs West Indies
West Indies picked up their third straight victory in the tournament after defeating Ireland by 44 runs in yesterday’s Group B Match played at Mohali. In what was a day match, West Indies who were put to bat first after losing the toss got off to a slow start but finished with a par total of 275.
At one stage, West Indies were literally crawling at 89 for 2 inisde the first 25 overs. Chris Gayle wasn’t playing the game due to an abdominal strain which resulted in Shivnarine Chanderpaul opening the innings withDevon Smith. While Chanderpaul madea slow 35 from 62 balls, Devon Smith went onto score his maiden century – 107 from 133 balls with 11 fours and a six. Big hitting Kieron Pollard provided the fire power in the slog overs with a scintillating 94 from just 55 balls with 8 fours and 5 sixes. Ireland did pretty well in bowling out West Indies who had just the four batsmen getting into double figures! Kevin O’Brien went for 71 runs in 9 overs but took four wickets with his medium pace.
Ireland started off slowly in their run chase which was being anchored by Ed Joyce who fell in the 38th over having taken his side to 177 for 4. Joyce scored 87 from 106 balls with 9 fours. There was another half century coming in from Gary Wilson (61 from 62 balls with 6 fours and a six) but he was unfortunate to receive a poor lbw decision from Umpire Asoka deSilva despite the replays in the review showing that he was hit on the pad outside the line of the off stump and was playing a shot. When Wilson got out, Ireland were in a very difficult position needing 77 from less than 9 overs with only four wickets in hand.
West Indies eventually bowled out Ireland for 231 in 49 overs with Sulieman Benn taking 4 for 53 and Skipper Darren Sammy contributing with 3 for 31. There was a good ODI debut for 22-year-old fast bowler from Jamaica – Andre Russell who finished with 10-2-37-1. Pollard got the Man of the Match for his blistering knock.