West Indies completed a whitewash of minnows Ireland with a five-wicket victory in the final of the three-match One-Day International (0DI) series at the Grenada National Stadium on Sunday, Jan. 12.
This was West Indies’ second 3-0 win in a matter of months, victory over another minnow, Afghanistan, by the same score on neutral ground in India ending a five-year series drought in ODIs — success against Ireland which was their first at home since beating Bangladesh back in 2014.
Set a modest target of 197 off 47 balls after rain interrupted play in their pursuit of 203, the regional team encountered little issues as they coasted home in the 38 overs.
Opener Evin Lewis who was left stranded on 99 when West Indies won the opening game last Tuesday in Barbados, made amends with a superb 102 off 97 balls, while fellow left-hander Nicholas Pooran finished unbeaten on 43 from 44 balls, Brandon King (43 balls), as West Indies recovered from cheap dismissals of Shai Hope (6) and Sunil Ambris (6) to complete their second series whitewash inside three months.
Off-spinner Hayden Walsh Jr had earlier snatched four for 36 as Ireland once again failed to post a challenging total and were dismissed for 203.
In the second game Ireland came close to winning the nail-biting match as tail-enders Sheldon Cottrell gave West Indies a one wicket win in the 50th over.
Cottrell, who survived a run out to an effort from off-spinner Mark Adair, struck a six to give the Kieron Pollard side a win with one ball to spare.
