Ireland upset Windies in World Cup match

Cricket with Dalchand Bissoon

West Indies's Denesh Ramdin catches the ball edged by Ireland's Paul Stirling during their Cricket World Cup pool B match at Nelson. Ireland won by four wickets. Financial Express Photo
West Indies’s Denesh Ramdin catches the ball edged by Ireland’s Paul Stirling during their Cricket World Cup pool B match at Nelson. Ireland won by four wickets.
Financial Express Photo

Ireland caused the first upset of the 2015 Cricket World Cup when they defeated West Indies by four wickets last Monday at Saxton Oval, Nelson, New Zealand.

West Indies sent in to bat scored 304 for seven wickets with Lendi Simmons topscoring with 102 and Darren Sammy made 89 in a 154-run, six-wicket partnership after the West Indies were at one stage 87 for five wickets in the 24th over. Chris Gayle made 36 and Andre Russell was undefeated on 27.George Dockrell took three for 50.

Ireland in reply scored 307 for six wickets in 45.5 overs with opener Paul Stirling scoring 92 and sharing in a partnership with former England opener Ed Joyce who made 84 while Niall O’Brien added 79 not out. Jerome Taylor took three for 71.

It is the third successive World Cup in which Ireland has beaten a test-playing team after victories over Pakistan and Bangladesh in 2007 and England in 2011.

“It’s obviously fantastic. The way we chased those runs was great. It sets us up for the next few games and it’s a great position to be in,” Ireland captain William Porterfield said.

“It was a tough loss, putting 300 runs on the board we backed ourselves to defend it,” said Windies skipper Jason Holder. “We need to tighten up and be better in the games to come.”

In the opening match played last Saturday, New Zealand defeated Sri Lanka by 98 runs. New Zealand scored 331 for six wickets in their 50 overs. Sri Lanka in reply made 233 all out in 46.1 overs.

Australia defeated England by 111 runs. Australia scored 342 for nine wickets in their 50 overs. England in reply made 231 all out in 41.5 overs.

On Sunday, South Africa defeated Zimbabwe by 62 runs. South Africa scored 339 for four wickets in their 50 overs. Zimbabwe in reply made 277 all out in 48.2 overs. India defeated Pakistan by 76 runs. India went 300 for seven wickets in their 50 overs. Pakistan in reply scored 224 all out in 47 overs.

West Indies next match is against Pakistan this Saturday at Christchurch, New Zealand. Their third is against Zimbabwe on Tuesday, Feb. 24, and their fourth is against South Africa on Friday, Feb. 27. On March 6, they play defending champions India and their final match is against United Arab Emirates on Sunday, March 15.

The tournament continues until Sunday, March 15, and the first of four quarter-finals is March 18-21.The two semi-finals are March 24 and 26 and the final is Sunday, March 29, at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia.