Match 5 Pool B West Indies vs Ireland Played at Saxton Oval, Nelson, New Zealand
Ireland 307/6 ( PR String 92,EC Joyce 84, NJ O’Brien 79,JE Taylor 3/71) beat West Indies 304/7 (LMP Simmons 102, DJG Sammy 89, CH Gayle 36, AD Russell 27*, Dockrell 3/50) by 4 Wickets.
A determined Irish team playing superior brand of attractive cricket comprehensively beat West Indies by 4 wickets causing the first major upset of ICC World Cup 2015.
It was Irish fairy tale again. Ireland for years is proving as a very competent team as ICC associate member country. There is strongly knocking at the door of full membership for a while.
In every world cup they played they create some sensation. Their victory today was not a flash in the pan. Accepting the period when Simmons and Sammy batting resolutely salvaged West Indies from complete collapse Ireland was always in the command. They batted very professionally pacing their chase wonderfully well and ultimately delivered the most satisfying victory of the tournament so far.
This win will change the complexion of the group with teams like India and Pakistan may have to reset their strategy against Ireland for advancing deeper into the tournament.
Ireland looked supremely confident from the outset and hardly loosened the grip of the contest.
Enigmatic West Indies ran into deep trouble after Ireland put to bat on a perfect seaming and swinging condition when Irish Captain WTS Porterfield put them into bat.
West Indies lost wicket at regular interval and was looking miserable at 87/5 will cream of the batting already back in the pavilion. From there on Simmons and Sammy took charge and batting with controlled aggression piloted the ship out of troubled water.
Simmons scored 102 and Sammy 89. The two produced a bright 154 runs in the sixth wicket partnership. West Indies could finally score 304 /7 which by no means was a competitive score. Left arm spinner Dockrell ripped the heart out of Caribbean batting before Simmons and Sammy could do the repair act with a 154 sixth wicket partnership.
What followed after this was Irish fairy tale. West Indies was World Champion in 1975 and 1979. At least in ODI it is still considered a formidable force. Ireland had nothing to lose.
Ireland came with all guns blazing right from the start. Caribbean bowling was treated like school boys by flamboyant Irish batsmen Captain Porterfield was a bit business as usual.
But Stirling, Joyce and O Brien batted like seasoned professionals They never let the run rate go out of site. Several quality strokes were played and strikes were constantly rotated.
The Irish run chase can be an ideal lesson for any team chasing a big score. They never panicked and went about the business like a seasoned professional unit. Stirling (92), Joyce (84) and Obrien (79) all played high quality innings full of maturity and class. West Indian bowling could hardly create any impression on them as they rallied taking Ireland across the finishing tape.
Ireland today, Zimbabwe yesterday demonstrated how conditions and intelligent preparation alter cases. Ireland, Scotland, Afghanistan and UAE spent useful time in Australia and New Zealand getting acclimatized to conditions.
Now those efforts are paying dividends. Ireland win was definitely the better team of the day winning on sheer merit and not an upset by any means. PR Stirling was adjudged man of match for his high quality innings.
BDST: 1710 HRS, FEB 16, 2015
