A superb batting performance by a captain on her birthday, a well-managed run-chase and a little help from the weather saw Ireland Women defeat the more-fancied West Indies by 1 run on DLS at Clontarf today.
After winning the toss and electing to bat first, the West Indies began shakily losing three wickets in the opening powerplay, thanks to some disciplined bowling by the Irish seamers. Ava Canning (2-11) bowled her customary in-swing balls on an awkward length with the opposition batters finding it difficult to get the ball off the square, while Captain Orla Prendergast, on her 24th birthday, struck twice with figures of 2-26.
Jannillea Glasgow (36 off 26 balls) top-scored and was the only West Indian batter to get on top of the Irish bowling attack and the West Indies finished on 141-8 from their 20 overs.
With 142 to win, under increasingly dark and stormy skies, the home side soon found themselves two wickets down in the first over and staring down the barrel of a Caribbean juggernaut out to crush their opponent before the rains came.
However, cometh the hour, cometh the Prendergast. The elegant, yet hard-hitting batter took control and struck a player of the match performance of 71* (46 balls), hitting 11 fours and a six in a 50-minute masterclass of innings management. First, a 57-run partnership with Rebecca Stokell (12) and then a 34-run stand with Louise Little (9*) propelled Ireland towards the target.
Just as Ireland was getting in range the heavens opened with the home still three runs behind on DLS. The umpires persisted with play to see one more ball bowled – and how crucial that was. Little swung the bat through the falling rain only to edge it past the keeper for four. Ireland surged past the DLS target. The rain got heavier and the umpires relented – the players left the field and, unable to return, Ireland were awarded their first-ever win over West Indies Women in T20I cricket.
Ireland is back in action on Thursday against Pakistan at the same venue.
MATCH SUMMARY
Ireland Women v West Indies Women, T20I Tri-Series, Clontarf, 1 June 2026
West Indies 141-8 (20 overs; J Glasgow 36; A Canning 2-11)
Ireland 99-5 (14.1 overs; O Prendergast 71*; S Hector 2-21)
Ireland Women won by 1 run (DLS)
