Ireland ran out 64 run winners to give Phil Simmons and his squad the perfect fillip ahead of the three international matches against the West Indies that start in Jamaica on February 19th.
IRELAND completed their Nagico Super50 campaign with a superb 64 run win against defending champions Windward Islands.
It was a relatively low scoring affair on a turgid track at the Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad which severely restricted all the batsmen.
Niall O’Brien top scored for Ireland with 44 from 63 balls (2 fours, 1 six) in their total of 179 all out, with Stuart Thompson also playing well for his 32.
That total looked to be below par at the halfway stage, but Ireland got off to a flying start when Stuart Thompson removed West Indies international Johnson Charles with just 2 on the board.
George Dockrell, playing in his 101st match for Ireland, bowled with great guile and control, taking 3 for 14, including the vital wicket of Andre Fletcher (19).
Max Sorensen (1-16) removed Windward Islands top scorer Tyrone Theophile (27) as Ireland took control, with all the bowlers backed up by an athletic and energetic fielding display, exemplified by run outs for Stuart Thompson and William Porterfield.
Paul Stirling (1-13) bowled tidily on his return from injury, but the final word went to Andrew Poynter, who finished proceedings taking 2 for 11 – his first wickets for Ireland in his 47th game.
ALL OVER! Ireland Win! Super comeback from the lads & perfect way to prepare for the West Indies matches coming up starting 19th Feb #coybig
— Cricket Ireland (@Irelandcricket) February 8, 2014
After a disappointing first two games in the competition, this was more like the Ireland side which has dominated Associate cricket in recent years. The win ensured that coach Phil Simmons in his 200th game in charge of Ireland wore a broad grin in his home town of Port-of-Spain.
Ireland will stay in Trinidad where they will play two warm-up games against local opposition next week before moving on to Jamaica for their clashes against the West Indies with the first match being on the 19th of February in Sabina Park.
To see the scorecards in full, please click here.
Cricket Ireland
Niall O’Brien made 44 before he was stumped © WICB
Yes
Connaught
