Ireland Thrash West Indies for a Record-Breaking ODI Win

DUBLIN: After the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) historic series win, another minnow crushed a Test-playing nation. Ireland recorded their biggest-ever win by runs against a Full Member nation, defeating West Indies by 124 runs in the first ODI in Dublin. The emphatic result was built on Andy Balbirnie’s superb ninth ODI hundred and a clinical four-wicket haul from Barry McCarthy.

Batting first after West Indies chose to bowl, Ireland posted a formidable 303 for 6. Balbirnie, in red-hot form after recent scores of 91, 101, and 63, anchored the innings with a composed 112 off 138 balls.

He found strong support from captain Paul Stirling, who smashed 54 off 64 balls and became the first Irish player to reach 10,000 international runs. Harry Tector added a brisk 56, and Lorcan Tucker’s late cameo of 30 off 18 balls ensured Ireland crossed the 300-run mark.

West Indies’ chase faltered almost immediately. Evin Lewis was run out in the third over after a mix-up and a direct hit from Tector. McCarthy then tore through the top order, removing Keacy Carty, Brandon King, and Amir Jangoo in quick succession. Debutant Thomas Mayes added to the visitors’ woes by bowling Shai Hope, leaving West Indies reeling at 31 for 5 inside ten overs.

Justin Greaves counterattacked with a quick 35, but his dismissal to Josh Little ended any hopes of a recovery. Roston Chase (53) and Matthew Forde (39) put on a 98-run stand for the seventh wicket, but George Dockrell broke through, and the rest of the West Indies lineup folded quickly. McCarthy fittingly took the final wicket, sealing a memorable win for Ireland.

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Despite a few dropped catches, Ireland’s all-round display left West Indies with plenty to ponder ahead of the next ODI.