What Andy Balbirnie can do, Sunil Ambris can do better as the former’s Ireland suffered a five-wicket defeat at the hands of the latter’s West Indies in Dublin Saturday.
Batting first, the Irish put up a commendable 327 losing five wickets in their stipulated 50 overs, riding largely on the heroics of No 3 batsman Balbirnie, who struck 135 off 124 balls, featuring 11 fours and four sixes.
He received valuable support from opener Paul Stirling (77) and all-rounder Kevin O’Brien (63) as the home side piled on the runs.
The Windies’ Shannon Gabriel bagged two wickets.
WI WIN! ?? Highest successful run chase by the West Indies in ODIs! #MenInMaroon
— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) May 11, 2019
? v ☘
IRE 327/5 (50.0 ovs)
?Gabriel 2/51 (10.0 ovs)
? Carter 1/19 (2.0 ovs)
WI 331/5 (47.5 ov)
?Ambris - 148 (126)
?Chase - 46 (53)
?Carter - 43* (27)
Man of the Match - Sunil Ambris pic.twitter.com/fsLMqEDc9y
In reply, the Caribbean side romped home with 13 balls to spare as Ambris hammered 148 off 126 deliveries, studded with 19 boundaries and an over boundary.
Seamer Boyd Rankin took three wickets but it wasn’t enough as Ireland fell well short in the end.
The Windies now find themselves at the top of points table with nine points from three matches, three more than second placed Bangladesh, who have played a game less.
The Irish are mired at the bottom with two points from three games.
