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NORTH SOUND, Antigua – A Murray Commins unbeaten century and a maiden List A half-century by Tom Mayes helped Emerging Ireland defeat West Indies Academy and take a 1-0 lead in the three-match one-day match series today at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.

Here are the main points from today’s match.

How the match played out:

• After winning the toss and electing to bat first, the visiting side were soon on the back foot, being reduced to 13-4 in the sixth over. The Emerging Ireland middle order struggled to progress the score at any meaningful rate. Wickets continued to fall and at 79-6 in the 19th over it felt like an early end to game one was on the cards. However, a lower-order fightback, anchored by opener Murray Commins, saw Emerging Ireland finish on a competitive score of 245, after a 103-run ninth-wicket partnership between Commins and Mayes.

• Set 246 for victory, the home side started at a rapid rate and were 58-0 after eight overs before the first wicket fell. A further 66 runs were added for the second wicket when Gavin Hoey’s intervention started a slide in momentum for West Indies Academy. Five wickets fell in eight overs and suddenly the West Indies Academy was 156-6. A tense last phase of the match featured a spectacular running over-the-shoulder outfield catch by Fionn Hand, and – sensing an unlikely win – the Irish side put on a professional bowling and fielding display to turn the screws and bowl West Indies Academy out for 219 in the 42nd over.

Emerging Ireland highlights:

• Murray mastery: Emerging Ireland opener Commins carried his bat through the innings for 118* from 129 balls (including 14 fours and one six). The 26-year old Commins looked as though he was batting on another pitch as he confidently and efficiently compiled runs at one end, while watching on as successive batting partners came and went quickly. When Gavin Hoey (26) joined him for the seventh wicket stand, Commins began to up his scoring rate, striking boundaries regularly on both sides of the wicket. His century stand with Mayes was memorable as he displayed a sense of calm and determination throughout. This was Commins’ third List A century.

• Mayes magic: Commins’ wouldn’t have had the chance for his century without the Tom Mayes batting cameo which saw the 22-year old Northern Knights pace bowler smash 51 from 46 balls (including two fours and three sixes). This was Mayes’ first List A half-century and was part of a 103-run ninth wicket partnership with Commins, taking the Irish side from 123-8 to 226-9.

• Hands’ hands: Fionn Hand may be recognised as a bowling all-rounder, but his fielding and catching is vastly under-rated. His catch (see here) was galvanising for a team growing in their belief they could pull off a victory.

MATCH SUMMARY

West Indies Academy v Emerging Ireland 1st ODM, Antigua, 17 November 2023

Emerging Ireland 245 (49.1 overs; M Commins 118*, T Mayes 1; J Bishop 4-45)
West Indies Academy 219 (41.4 overs; M Nandu 59; S Macbeth 3-33, G Hoey 3-43)

Emerging Ireland won by 26 runs

See full scorecard