BREADY — The West Indies secured a 1-0 T20 series victory over Ireland after a dominant performance in the third and final match at Bready Cricket Club. The visitors chased down Ireland’s modest total of 116 with ease, winning by 9 wickets to clinch the series, which had been reduced to a one-match decider due to rain interruptions in the first two fixtures.
Captain Rovman Powell led from the front with an unbeaten 40 off just 29 deliveries, while opener Brandon King contributed a steady 36 not out as the West Indies reached their target in just 13.5 overs. The victory marked a strong finish to the tour for the Caribbean side, who had earlier drawn the ODI series 1-1. "It’s always good to finish on a high," Powell said in the post-match presentation.
Ireland’s Batting Struggles
Ireland’s innings never gained momentum after being put in to bat first. The hosts were restricted to 116 all out in 19.4 overs, with only Lorcan Tucker (30) and Gareth Delany (23) offering any resistance. The West Indies bowlers were disciplined, with Romario Shepherd (3/15) and Akeal Hosein (2/20) leading the attack. "We just didn’t get enough runs on the board," admitted Ireland captain Paul Stirling.
Key moments in Ireland’s innings included:
- Early wickets of Stirling (4) and Andy Balbirnie (5) putting pressure on the middle order
- Akeal Hosein’s economical spell breaking a promising partnership
- Shepherd’s late burst cleaning up the tail
West Indies’ Clinical Chase
The West Indies openers started cautiously before accelerating against Ireland’s inexperienced bowling attack. King and Kyle Mayers (15) put on 38 for the first wicket before Mayers fell to Craig Young. However, Powell’s aggressive knock ensured there were no further hiccups.
Powell’s innings featured:
- Three sixes, including the winning hit over long-on
- A 50-run partnership with King in just 38 balls
- Dominance against both pace and spin
Series Context and Takeaways
The series had been heavily affected by weather, with the first two matches abandoned without a ball bowled. This made the final game a winner-takes-all encounter. For Ireland, it was another case of failing to capitalize against a Full Member nation, while the West Indies will take confidence ahead of their T20 World Cup title defense next month.
Key takeaways from the series:
- West Indies’ bowling depth looks strong with Shepherd emerging as a reliable option
- Ireland’s batting remains inconsistent against quality attacks
- Brandon King continues to impress as an anchor at the top of the order
Post-Match Reactions
Powell was pleased with his team’s performance: "After the rain ruined the first two games, we wanted to make sure we put on a show today. The bowlers set it up beautifully and then we finished the job professionally."
Ireland’s Stirling remained optimistic despite the loss: "There are positives to take, especially how some of our younger bowlers handled themselves. We’re building towards something special and these experiences against top teams are invaluable."
Looking Ahead
The West Indies will now turn their attention to the T20 World Cup, where they’ll look to defend their title on home soil. Ireland, meanwhile, have a busy summer schedule with series against India and South Africa. "This was good preparation," said Powell. "We’re peaking at the right time and the World Cup can’t come soon enough."