Ireland players celebrate taking a West Indies wicket: Linked Photo
Latest Update #2 – Ireland v West Indies
Ireland pulled off a stunning upset victory over the West Indies in their World Cup Pool opening match in Nelson on Monday.
The Irish, after restricting the Caribbean side to 304 for 7 off their 50 overs, reached 307 for 6 from 45.5 overs to win by four wickets….Here is the full scoreboard
Latest Update #2 – Ireland v West Indies
A brilliant sixth wicket partnership between Darren Sammy and Lendl Simmons of 154 runs, off 21.0 overs have helped the West Indies reached 304 for seven off their 50 overs.
Simmons and Sammy came together at the crease with the Windies struggling at 87 for five and the pair pushed the Caribbean side to 241 before Sammy was caught in the deep in the 45th over for a well-played 89, which included 9 fours and 4 sixes off 67 balls.
Simmons carried on to make 102, while Andre Russell made a quick fire 27.
“We needed a partnership so it was great when Sammy came on so we could do it,” Simmons said at the end of the innings.
“It was a nice pitch with the slower ball sliding on us. I accepted the challenge of batting lower down the order. We do have some good swing and pace bowlers, so we hope we can utilise the pitch and get the win. Ireland should provide a good challenge.”
The West Indies scored 198 runs in the last 20 overs.
Latest Update – Ireland v West Indies
The West Indies supporters are in even bigger disbelief as the Caribbean side has slipped to 87 for 5 and look in danger of losing its opening game of the ICC World Cup Cricket tournament in Nelson.
A very poor and sluggish start by the openers gave the Ireland bowlers the confidence they needed against the Caribbean club, and with its top order and middle order batsmen already sitting in the stands, it will now take something special to see the West Indies to a defendable score.
Chris Gayle (36), Marlon Samuels (21), Darren Bravo (0) and Dwayne Smith (18), Denesh Ramdin (1) are all back in the pavilion, with George Dockrell so far picking up three wickets for the Irish.
Chris Gayle failed again for the West Indies: Photo by WICB Media Photo/Philip Spooner
Ireland Team
WTS Porterfield*, PR Stirling, EC Joyce, NJ O’Brien, A Balbirnie, GC Wilson†, KJ O’Brien, JF Mooney, MC Sorensen, GH Dockrell, AR McBrine.
West Indies Team
CH Gayle, DR Smith, DM Bravo, MN Samuels, D Ramdin†, LMP Simmons, DJG Sammy, AD Russell, JO Holder*, KAJ Roach, JE Taylor
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(Sporting Alert) — West Indies fans are hoping the Caribbean side can make a winning start to their 2015 ICC World Cup Cricket game against Ireland at Saxton Oval, here in Nelson.
The Windies, who have had their problems with off the field matters recently, have also struggled to put together a positive run on the field, which sees them coming into this World Cup as one of the teams hoping for some favours.
With leading batsman Chris Gayle struggling to find his best form and experienced players Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Bravo both omitted by the selectors, captain Jason Holder can only hope that someone else can step-up.
Speaking about the “huge loss” of Bravo and Pollard, Holder said: “They are two players who have done well in world cricket.
“But it’s out of our control. Not having them would be a huge loss to any side. But it’s beyond our control and we have to accept it and move on.”
In terms of Gayle’s struggles, the 22-year-old added: “Chris is big player for any team he plays for.
“He’s a world beater. He’s been a top batsman for us for a number of years. We just want him to be his normal self and get the best out of him.
“I have built a relationship with some of the senior players. Being captain has not been that difficult thus far.
“We didn’t do too well in South Africa but we didn’t have our full-strength team out there. I have a good relationship with all the guys.”
Meanwhile, Ireland won the toss and surprising have decided to bowl first, despite all the winners so far at the tournament are the ones who have put up the runs first.
Captain William Porterfield believes there is something in the pitch for early seam bowling and he is already planning to limit the Caribbean side’s free scoring by targeting an out of touch Gayle from the first ball.
