West Indies inched closer to a quarterfinal berth with 44-run victory over Ireland in their Group B match at Mohali. West Indies are now placed second in the group with six points from four games. They now need to beat India or England to confirm their quarterfinal slot.
Ireland won the toss and put West Indies to bat first. Shivnarine Chanderpaul (35) and Devon Smith added 89 runs for the first wicket in almost 25 overs before Kevin O’Brien struck for Ireland removing Chanderpaul and Darren Bravo (0). Ramnaresh Sarwan (10) failed with the bat but Smith was rock solid at the other end.
He added 88 runs for the fourth wicket with Kieron Pollard and also registered his maiden century, a 133-ball 107 runs that had 11 fours and a six in it. Pollard was his usual murderous best blazing to 94 runs off just 55 balls. He hit five sixes and eight fours. West Indies were all-out for 275 in 50 overs, losing their last four wickets for just eight runs. Kevin O’Brien took 4/71 off his nine overs while John Mooney took 2/58 off his nine.
Ireland lost Paul Stirling (5) and William Porterfield (11) early but recovered through a 44-run partnership between Ed Joyce and Niall O’Brien (25). Ed Joyce also raised 91 runs for the fourth wicket with Gary Wilson. Joyce hit 84 runs from 106 balls with nine fours while Wilson hit a quick 62-ball 61 runs with six fours and a six.
However, once both the batsmen departed, things got tougher for Ireland as they lost their last six wickets for 44 runs. Kevin O’Brien (5) failed to recreate his magic once again. For West Indies, Sulieman Benn took 4/53 off his ten overs while skipper Darren Sammy return figures of 3/31 off his ten, including three maiden overs on the trot. Pollard was declared the player of the match for his 94 runs off 55 balls.