West Indies stormed to a 62-run victory over Ireland in the third and final T20 international on Sunday, sealing a 1-0 series win after the opening two fixtures were abandoned due to rain.
Batting first at Bready Cricket Club, the visitors unleashed a ferocious assault to post their second-highest total in T20 internationals — a mammoth 256 for 5. Openers Evin Lewis and captain Shai Hope laid the foundation with a blistering 122-run partnership inside just 10.3 overs.
Lewis, in vintage form, smashed 91 from 44 deliveries, clearing the ropes eight times, while Hope struck a rapid 51 off 27 balls, including four sixes. The onslaught continued through Keacy Carty, who remained unbeaten on 49 from a mere 22 balls. In total, the West Indies cleared the boundary 20 times in a dominant display of power hitting.
Ireland, chasing a record target, made a promising start. Ross Adair scored 48 from 36 balls and Harry Tector added 38 off 25, helping the hosts reach 114 for 1. But the Caribbean bowlers hit back decisively, claiming three wickets in the space of two overs to reduce Ireland to 116 for 4, effectively ending their hopes of a comeback. The hosts eventually closed on 194 for 7.
The result delivered West Indies a much-needed series triumph, following a disappointing tour of England where they were whitewashed in both the ODI and T20I series. The two sides had earlier drawn their ODI series 1-1 in Dublin.
Speaking after the match, West Indies skipper Shai Hope said: “Nice to take something back to the Caribbean.”
Next on the agenda for the West Indies is a home Test series against Australia, beginning 25 June in Barbados. The three-Test contest will be followed by five T20 internationals. Australia, for their part, arrive in the Caribbean on the back of a defeat to South Africa in the World Test Championship final at Lord’s.
In a notable development, veteran batter Steve Smith, despite being injured, is expected to travel with the Australian squad to the West Indies.