Ireland thrashed West Indies by 124 runs in the first ODI between the sides in Dublin.
The first of three matches – which will all take place at the Clontarf Cricket Club in Dublin – saw the visitors win the toss and elect to field first.
1st ODI, Ireland vs West Indies
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Ireland openers Andy Balbirnie and skipper Paul Stirling made a solid start, getting through the Powerplay unscathed and adding 54 runs on a decent pitch.
At 109-0 in 22 overs, Stirling attempted to take on off-spinner and newly-appointed West Indies Test skipper Roston Chase, only to hole out for 54. Balbirnie stood firm even as debutant Cade Carmichael came and went for 16, reaching a half-century off 88 balls.
No.4 Harry Tector then provided some much-needed momentum with a 51-ball 56, as Balbirnie also began to step on the gas – going from 50 to 100 in 43 balls, before he was dismissed for 112 in the 44th over. Wicketkeeper Lorcan Tucker provided a finishing flourish with 30 off 18, helping the hosts post 303-6.
Read more: UAE break multiple records en route to historic 206-run chase against Bangladesh
West Indies collapse to 124-run loss against Ireland
West Indies' chase got off to the worst possible start as they were tied down early on – losing Evin Lewis, run out, with the score reading 3-1 in three overs. Four overs later, Keacy Carty was undone by Barry McCarthy, before the bowler accounted for both Brandon King and Amir Jangoo in the ninth over. Captain Shai Hope was then castled by Thomas Mayes, leaving the visitors staring down the barrel at 35-5 in 10 overs.
A couple of rescue efforts came for the West Indies, as Justin Greaves and Roston Chase put on 40 in 4.3 overs, before Chase and Matthew Forde batted 17.5 overs to add another 98. But by the time Chase was out for 55, West Indies were 169-7, and Ireland's bowlers eventually shot them out for 179 to record a 124-run win.
Ireland extend recent ODI dominance over West Indies
This win extends a particularly favourable record for Ireland over West Indies in this format, marking their third victory in a row against the side. In the teams' last two games in January 2022, Ireland won by five and two wickets in consecutive matches in Kingston, coming back from 1-0 down to take the series 2-1.
The winning margin of 124 runs is also Ireland's biggest over an ICC Full Member team in ODIs. Their three bigger wins of 226, 138 and 133 runs have come against UAE, UAE and Canada.
Image credit: X / @cricketireland
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