BELFAST — Ireland captain Paul Stirling admitted his side "just fell short" after a narrow defeat to the West Indies in the deciding T20I at Bready Cricket Club, sealing a 2-1 series loss for the hosts.
Stirling, leading Ireland in the absence of the injured Andrew Balbirnie, reflected on a hard-fought series where his team showed flashes of brilliance but ultimately couldn't close out key moments. "We were in the fight in every game, but credit to the West Indies—they held their nerve better when it mattered," he said post-match.
Series Decider Goes Down to the Wire
The final match saw Ireland post a competitive 150/8, with Lorcan Tucker top-scoring with 56 off 53 balls. However, the West Indies chased it down with three balls to spare, thanks to a composed 36* from Roston Chase and late fireworks from Romario Shepherd (20* off 10).
Stirling acknowledged the fine margins: "We had them under pressure at 90/5, but Chase and Shepherd played smart cricket. We missed a couple of half-chances, and in T20s, those moments define games."
Positives for Ireland Despite Defeat
While disappointed, Stirling highlighted several bright spots:
- Lorcan Tucker’s consistency (149 runs in 3 innings at 49.66)
- Barry McCarthy’s economical bowling (5 wickets at 6.25 economy)
- The emergence of 20-year-old fast bowler Craig Young, who troubled WI batters with pace
"The younger lads stood up," Stirling said. "Craig’s spell in the second game (2/19) was exceptional. If we keep developing players like him, we’ll win more of these tight series."
West Indies’ Experience Proves Decisive
West Indies skipper Rovman Powell praised his team’s adaptability after losing the opening match. "Ireland outplayed us in the first game, but we adjusted to the conditions better as the series went on," he said.
Key contributions came from:
- Brandon King (104 runs at 34.66)
- Akeal Hosein’s spin (6 wickets at 5.50 economy)
- Shepherd’s death bowling and power-hitting
Looking Ahead: World Cup Preparations
With the T20 World Cup looming, Stirling emphasized the importance of learning from close defeats. "We’ve shown we can compete with top sides, but we need to win these 50-50 games to take the next step."
Ireland’s next assignment is a T20I tri-series against Scotland and the Netherlands in June, while the West Indies face South Africa in a home series next month.
Stirling’s final words were optimistic: "This hurts now, but it’s part of the journey. We’ll keep building."