Ireland started their World Cup Pool B campaign in emphatic fashion, defeating West Indies by four wickets at the Saxton Oval in Nelson.
Paul Stirling, Ed Joyce and Niall O’Brien, with 92, 84 and 79 not out respectively, all starred with the bat as Ireland, despite a late wobble, overhauled the Windies’ 304 for seven with 25 balls to spare.
West Indies were struggling at 87 for five until Lendl Simmons, whose uncle is Ireland coach Phil Simmons, struck a century and Darren Sammy contributed 89 off 67 balls, the highest score by a number seven at a World Cup.
Ireland skipper Will Porterfield’s decision to field reaped rewards as George Dockrell left the Windies in trouble.
After Dwayne Smith picked out long-on off Kevin O’Brien and Darren Bravo was run out without facing, the Somerset spinner accounted for Chris Gayle, Marlon Samuels and Denesh Ramdin.
But just when Ireland got their tails up, Simmons and Sammy rode to the Windies’ rescue with a fine stand of 154 in 21.1 overs.
Simmons started patiently and then went through the gears, taking 26 off his first 44 deliveries before departing for 102 off 84 from the penultimate ball of the innings.
Sammy, who hit nine fours and four sixes, one maximum fewer than Simmons, was denied the chance of a maiden one-day international century when he top-edged John Mooney into the deep.
Andre Russell added late impetus with an unbeaten 27 off 13 balls, meaning the Windies took 198 off the final 20 overs.
Skipper Porterfield and Stirling got their side off to a fine start with an opening stand of 71 until the former edged Gayle behind for 23.
That was extremely enjoyable #CWC15 unbelievable performance by our bowlers to keep that Windies line-up to 304
— Ed Joyce (@edjoyce24) February 16, 2015
Joyce showed all his experience during his 67-ball 84, sharing a 106-run partnership with the aggressive Stirling before adding 96 with Niall O’Brien.
Stirling missed the chance of a century, his 84-ball knock ending when he edged Samuels behind. before Joyce’s dismissal 12 overs later, caught by Bravo at deep-cover off Jerome Taylor, triggered a collapse.
With 31 runs needed, Taylor also dismissed Andy Balbirnie and Gary Wilson while Kevin O’Brien was run out for a duck.
But Kevin’s brother, Niall, was there at the end to help Ireland complete their third successful chase of 300+ in World Cups.
Meanwhile, Sammy and Mooney have both been fined 30 per cent of their match fees by the International Cricket Council for using offensive language.
Brill start to the campaign. Support in Nelson and from home has been great #1/1
— Paul Stirling (@stirlo90) February 16, 2015