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The third and final T20 International between West Indies and Ireland delivered a six-hitting masterclass and a one-sided result, as the visitors clinched the series 1–0 with a 62-run victory at Bready. The first two matches had been abandoned due to rain, but West Indies made the most of the clear skies on Sunday to deliver a record-challenging performance.
West Indies Blaze to 256 for 5 with 20 Sixes
After being put in to bat, West Indies overcame a slow start (11 runs in two overs) to unleash a relentless assault. Openers Evin Lewis and Shai Hope set the tone by hammering the Irish bowlers all over the ground.
- Evin Lewis smashed 91 off 44 balls, hitting 7 fours and 9 sixes
- Shai Hope contributed 51 off 27 deliveries, with 4 sixes and 3 fours
- Debutant Keacy Carty finished unbeaten on 49 off 22*, laced with 4 fours and 4 sixes
Their final score of 256 for 5 was the second-highest T20I total in West Indies’ history and among the top few ever posted in the format.
Sightscreens Shattered, Trees Shaken, Crowd in Cover
It was not just a brutal onslaught—it was destruction with flair. The match witnessed:
ICC Revises ODI Rules, Introduces Concussion Protocol and Catching Reforms
- 20 sixes from the West Indian batters
- The sightscreen being punched
- Balls sailing into the trees and crowd
- Spectators scattering for cover as sixes rained down
Out of the 256 runs, a staggering 200 came through boundaries. The only brief relief for Ireland came through Matthew Humphreys, whose exceptional spell of 2 for 16 in four overs stood out in a game dominated by the bat.
Lewis and Hope Lay the Foundation for a Record Total
After a cautious first two overs, Lewis and Hope tore into the Irish bowling. Both brought up their half-centuries with sixes:
- Lewis reached 50 in 29 balls, launching debutant Liam McCarthy into the stands.
- Hope got there in just 24 balls, driving Ben White straight down the ground.
The pair added 122 for the first wicket, setting up a dream platform. Even after losing three wickets in the space of 11 balls for just 30 runs, the scoring didn’t stop.
Carty Shines on Debut
Making his debut, Keacy Carty impressed with a blistering cameo. Supported by Jason Holder, Shimron Hetmyer, and Romario Shepherd, the lower-middle order kept the scoring above 12 runs an over in the final stages.
Ireland’s Bowlers Struggle, Except for Humphreys
Ireland’s bowling attack was rattled, especially debutant Liam McCarthy, who went for 81 runs in four overs, the most expensive debut in T20I history.
- Humphreys was the lone bright spot, finishing with 2/16, including the wickets of Hetmyer and Powell.
- He bowled both the first and last overs of the Powerplay, containing the scoring while others were plundered.
- His figures could have been even better had Harry Tector not dropped a simple catch when Lewis was on 44—a miss that proved very costly.
Ireland Start Bright, Then Collapse Under Pressure
Chasing a mammoth 257, Ireland started in style:
- Paul Stirling cracked the first three balls for boundaries
- A 101-run stand between Ross Adair (48) and Harry Tector (38) gave hope to the hosts
But once Tector fell in the 11th over, the chase crumbled:
- Ireland lost 3 wickets for 2 runs, collapsing from 113 for 1 to 115 for 4
- The middle and lower order couldn’t cope with the mounting required rate
- Ireland ultimately finished at 194 for 7, falling 62 runs short
Akeal Hosein’s Comeback Turns the Tide
One of the most pivotal contributions came from Akeal Hosein, who was hit for boundaries early but rebounded to take 3 wickets for 27 runs. His spell effectively choked Ireland’s chase just when they needed acceleration.
Jason Holder also chipped in with 2 wickets, using his height and bounce effectively to break partnerships and contain scoring.
Series Win for West Indies Amid Weather Woes
This win secured a 1–0 series victory for the West Indies, after the first two matches of the three-game series were washed out. For Ireland, it was a case of what could have been, as the weather robbed them of rhythm and momentum across the series.
Match Summary:
West Indies: 256/5 (Lewis 91, Hope 51, Carty 49*, Hosein 3-27)
Ireland: 194/7 (R Adair 48, Tector 38, M Adair 31*, Holder 2-49)
Result: West Indies won by 62 runs
