West Indies vs. Ireland: Windies maul the Irish by 44 runs – ICC World Cup 2011 news
West Indies overcame Ireland by 44 runs in a Group B match of the ICC World Cup 2011 played at the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750.
However, the Irish fought well and proved that they can play consistently well against tougher opponents.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ireland-c751 captain William Porterfield won the toss and elected to field first. Although the wicket did not have much assistance for the bowlers, the minnows were given a very good start by their seamers.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shivnarine-Chanderpaul-c90073. The explosive batsman Chris Gayle was not able to take part in the match following a groin injury.
However, the new opening pair for the Windies started the innings steadily. Both Chanderpaul and Smith found it hard to hit boundaries but they played sensibly and did not lose any wicket in the early stages of the game.
Chanderpaul was not able to capitalise on the start he got, as he was dismissed after scoring 35 runs off 62 balls. He gave his wicket away by chipping one ball straight to the hands of the cover fielder. He was followed by the promising Darren Bravo, who got out for a duck.
The veteran Ramnaresh Sarwan also failed to impress, as he got out after adding just 10 runs to the total. The Caribbean Kings were struggling at that stage with three wickets down for 130 runs in 32 overs.
However, Kieron Pollard and Smith played some aggressive cricket and guided their team out of trouble. They constructed a resolute 88-run stand for the fourth wicket, and it took them just 63 balls to do so.
Smith scored a brilliant 107 runs from 133 balls, and he received good support from the flamboyant Pollard. The tall right-hander smashed 94 runs off just 55 balls before he got out. He struck 8 fours and 5 towering sixes in his innings.
Although none of the lower middle-order batsmen was able to score much runs, the Windies amassed 275 in their allotted 50 overs.
Kevin O’Brien, who scored a brilliant century against England, proved to be a surprise for the opponents, as he took 4 wickets for his team.
In reply, Ireland lost both their openers Porterfield and Paul Stirling early. The pair managed to add just 11 and 5 to the total respectively. However, Ed Joyce and Niall O’Brien paired at the crease to steady the innings for their team.
O’Brien was sent back to the pavilion after scoring 25 runs from 38 balls, but Gary Wilson joinhttp://www.senore.com/Cricket/Ed-Joyce-c1417 at the crease, and the pair batted sensibly to take their team to a fighting position.
They scored a 91-run partnership for the fourth wicket, and the minnows were 177 for 3 at one stage. However, wickets started to tumble at the wrong time for them, as Joyce and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Wilson-c98046 got out in a span of 22 runs. They scored 84 and 61 respectively for their team.
None of the lower middle-order batsmen was able to capitalise on the start and Ireland were bowled out for 231 in 49 overs. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/George-Dockrell-c59135 scored a run-a-ball 19 towards the end of the innings, but he was the last man to be dismissed for the Irish.
Pollard was named as Man of the Match for his valiant effort with the bat and superb fielding.
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