Balbirnie, McCarthy lead Ireland to dominant win

DUBLIN, Ireland:

Opener Andy Balbirnie and pacer Barry McCarthy rocked West Indies in the opening One Day International (ODI) to set up Ireland's comfortable 124-run victory at Clontarf on Wednesday.

Player-of-the-Match Balbirnie cracked his ninth ODI century to help propel the home side to 303 for six off their 50 overs after they were sent in to bat by the visitors.

McCarthy then ran through the Windies' top order to derail their run chase, and they were eventually bowled out for 179 in 34.1 overs despite a fighting half century from Roston Chase.

Ireland were given a perfect start by Balbirnie and captain Paul Stirling, who scored a half century, with the pair putting on 109 runs in their opening partnership.

Stirling brought up a significant milestone, when he guided left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie down to long on for a single to bring up his 10,000th international run in all formats.

He then romped to his 32nd ODI half century off 61 balls by dispatching Motie to the backward point boundary, as Ireland cruised to 108-0.

Balbirnie brought up his half century off 88 balls soon after and together with debutant Cade Carmichael added 42 runs for the second wicket. Balbirnie and Harry Tector would put on a 98-run partnership for the third wicket.

During that time, Balbirnie reached three figures off 131 balls with a single off fast bowler Alzarri Joseph.

Matthew Forde was the Windies' best bowler with 3-68, while Joseph took 2-51.

WI RUN CHASE

The West Indies' run chase was over almost as soon as it began with McCarthy tearing through the top order.

With just three runs on the board Evin Lewis was run out by a direct throw at the non-striker's end by Tector, McCarthy followed up by having Keacy Carty caught at mid on for six, Brandon King caught behind for 19 and then trapped Amir Jangoo plumb in front for a two-ball duck, as West Indies slumped to 29 for four.

Skipper Shai Hope was then bowled by an absolute beauty from pacer Thomas Mayes for two to leave the innings in tatters at 31 for five.

Justin Greaves and Roston Chase put on 40 runs to give hope of a possible fightback, until the former was caught at slip for 35 off the bowling of pacer Josh Little.

West Indies then had their best partnership, a 98-run stand between Chase and Matthew Forde, as they tried to revive the chase.

Chase got to his sixth ODI half century by sweeping spinner Andy McBrine to the boundary for four, but was deceived by an arm ball by spinner George Dockrell to be bowled for 55 off 76 balls with four fours and two sixes.

McCarthy finished with figures of 4-32 while Dockrell ended with 3-21. - CMC