O'Brien guides Ireland to wonderful Windies win
Mon 16 Feb 2015
Niall O’Brien made 79 not out off just 60 deliveries as Ireland launched their ICC World Cup campaign with a stunning four-wicket win against the West Indies.
The Windies were reeling on 87-5 in the 24th over as good early work from the seamers was backed up by spin twins George Dockrell (10-0-50-3) and Andy McBrine (10-1-26-0).
Lendl Simmons (102), nephew of Ireland Head Coach and former Leicestershire all-rounder Phil, then joined forces with captain Darren Sammy (89). The duo put on 154 in a stylish sixth wicket partnership as the West Indies recovered to post a healthy 304-7.
Ireland took the attack to West Indies from the outset as Paul Stirling made an 84-ball 92 during important stands worth 71 and 106 with skipper Will Porterfield and Ed Joyce respectively.
Sussex batsman Joyce (84), who also scored at pace, then formed a crucial 96-run alliance with County batsman Niall O’Brien to guide Ireland to 273-3 in the 40th over.
Former Leicestershire paceman Jerome Taylor sparked a revival as he took the wickets of Joyce, Andy Balbirnie and Gary Wilson and when Kevin O’Brien was run out, four wickets had fallen for the addition of 18 runs.
Ireland still needed 14 at that point but Niall O’Brien kept cool and John Mooney hit the winning runs to complete a superb victory with 25 balls to spare.
* Former Leicestershire star James Taylor made a brilliant unbeaten 98 despite England suffering defeat in their opener against Australia on Saturday. Another man with Leicestershire connections, Stuart Broad, also played for England.
* Rob Taylor and Scotland get their tournament off and running with the toughest of challenges tonight. They face in-form New Zealand in their own back yard, with the joint hosts having already secured a convincing win against Sri Lanka.
