Ireland defeats WI (2-1) in ODI series

Ireland achieved a historic series win over West Indies after winning the deciding one-day international by two wickets at Sabina Park, Jamaica on Sunday.

The 2-1 come- from-behind series  victory from the third ODI gave Ireland a first ODI series win away from home against a full ICC member, after  Zimbabwe at home in 2019.

The West Indies managed a paltry 212 in 44.4 overs, which had seemed improbable when the hosts were reeling 119-7 after 28 overs.

WI Captain Kieron Pollard lost the toss for the third consecutive match and the hosts’ batting frailty again reared its head as Pollard’s men squandered a solid opening partnership between Shai Hope and Justin Greaves.

After that wickets began to tumble but the West Indies were spared their embarrassment by a 63-run partnership between their top allrounder Jason Holder (44) and Akeal Hosein (23) and a cameo by Odean Smith (20) not out in 10 balls in yet another innings in which they did not utilize their full allotment of overs.

The one-off T20 between the two teams scheduled for  last Sunday was called off because of COVID-19, which had affected several Irish players resulting in the second ODI to be rescheduled to last Thursday and the final on Sunday.