West Indies signed off their T20I series against Ireland in dominating fashion, registering a 62-run victory in the third and final match at the Bready Cricket Ground. Riding on a blistering 91 from Evin Lewis and a clinical bowling effort led by Akeal Hosein, the Caribbean side sealed the series with flair, underlining their T20 prowess ahead of future tournaments.
Ireland, despite winning the toss and opting to bowl first, were left chasing shadows as the West Indian batters went on a rampage right from the start.
Lewis Unleashes Vintage Power
Opening the innings, Evin Lewis turned back the clock with a ferocious knock of 91 off just 44 balls. His innings, studded with boundaries and towering sixes, set the tone early and dismantled Ireland’s bowling attack. Lewis looked in complete control, targeting every bowler with precision and timing, and gave the crowd at Bready a reminder of his T20 destructive capabilities.
Supporting him was the ever-dependable Shai Hope, who smashed a quickfire 51 off 27 balls, playing a perfect anchor while rotating strike and capitalizing on loose deliveries. The pair laid a rock-solid foundation for a mammoth total.
Towards the end, Keacy Carty chipped in with an unbeaten 49 off 22 balls, providing the finishing flourish as West Indies piled up a towering 256 for 5 in their allotted 20 overs.
Ireland’s Bowling Woes Continue
Ireland’s bowling struggled to contain the explosive West Indies top order. Left-arm spinner Matthew Humphreys was the only standout, returning impressive figures of 2 for 16 in his full quota of four overs—a remarkable effort in the context of such a high-scoring game.
However, other bowlers bore the brunt. Mark Adair conceded 52 runs in his 4 overs, managing only one wicket, while Benjamin White gave away 50 in his spell. The lack of control in the death overs proved costly for the hosts.
Ireland’s Spirited but Short-Lived Chase
Chasing 257 for victory, Ireland needed something extraordinary with the bat. Openers Ross Adair and Andy Balbirnie started cautiously, but the mounting required run rate soon forced them to take risks. Ross Adair top-scored with 48 from 36 balls, showcasing grit and determination, but lacked the big-hitting support from the other end.
Harry Tector added 38 off 25 balls in the middle overs, attempting to revive the chase. However, regular wickets derailed Ireland’s momentum. Akeal Hosein was the chief destroyer with the ball, returning figures of 3 for 27 and strangling the run flow in the middle overs.
Jason Holder also played a pivotal role, picking up two crucial wickets for 49 runs. Roston Chase chipped in with a tidy spell, conceding only 16 runs in his two overs while picking up a wicket.
Mark Adair tried to stage a late onslaught with an unbeaten 31 off 14 balls, but the damage had already been done, and Ireland eventually fell short, ending at 194 for 7 in 20 overs.
Series in the Bag, Momentum Secured
This emphatic win gave West Indies the series victory, reaffirming their growing form in the shortest format. The team now looks well-balanced, with batting firepower and a bowling attack capable of defending large totals—something they will cherish moving forward into more competitive international fixtures.
On the other hand, Ireland will take positives from individual performances but will need to reflect on their bowling strategies and fielding lapses if they are to compete against top-tier T20 teams consistently.
With the T20 World Cup cycle fast approaching, West Indies’ dominant performance is a statement of intent. Evin Lewis’s return to form, Shai Hope’s consistency, and Akeal Hosein’s wicket-taking abilities provide a solid core to build around. Ireland, while outplayed, showed flashes of potential but will have to regroup and address their tactical shortcomings.
Match Summary:
West Indies: 256/5 in 20 overs (Evin Lewis 91, Shai Hope 51, Keacy Carty 49*; Matthew Humphreys 2/16)
Ireland: 194/7 in 20 overs (Ross Adair 48, Harry Tector 38, Mark Adair 31*; Akeal Hosein 3/27, Jason Holder 2/49)
Result: West Indies won by 62 runs
Series Result: West Indies won the T20I series
