KINGSTON – West Indies made use of a solid opening partnership between Dwayne Smith and Kieran Powell to brush aside Ireland by four wickets in their one-off One Day International at Sabina Park yesterday.
This was West Indies’ second victory on the trot following an 11-run win against the same opponents in a Twenty20 International match on Friday to draw the two-match series.
Scores: Ireland 202 (49.2 overs), West Indies 205-6 (36.4 overs). West Indies started their chase in a hurry with Smith and Powell attacking the Irish bowlers and posting an opening stand of 100, scoring at six runs an over.
Smith, who was drafted in the team to replace an injured Chris Gayle, made good on this opportunity and when he departed in the 17th over, had pounded 55 off 53 balls with five fours and three sixes.
Ireland brought themselves back into the match when Kirk Edwards and Darren Bravo went in quick succession. But Powell stayed around for a well played 57 off 72 balls.
Captain Dwayne Bravo had a quickfire 35 to bring the West Indies closer to their target.
Marlon Samuels and Darren Sammy were left unbeaten at the end. The elegant Samuels stroked 26 in 21 balls with four fours and a six.
Earlier, Ireland recovered from 78 for 4 to reach 202 all out, thanks mainly to a 45-run stand between Gary Wilson (62) and Kevin O’Brien (22). Stuart Thompson also frustrated the West Indies’ bowlers with a stubbon 33.
Jason Holder (3-34), Dwayne Bravo (3-36) and Nikita Miller (2-30) were the pick of the bowlers.
Ireland, with one win from three matches on tour of the Caribbean, will switch attention to the forthcoming International Cricket Council (ICC) World Twenty20 Tournament in Bangladesh.
West Indies will engage England in a three-match ODI series in Antigua followed by three T20s in Barbados.
