McBrine inspires Ireland to historic series win

In a nail-biting finish, Ireland produced a thrilling two-wicket win to clinch their maiden series victory over an ICC full member away from home. The visitors beat West Indies by two wickets in the final ODI to take the series 2-1 after Andy McBrine took four wickets and scored 59 to see the side home.

Stuck in, West Indies were bowled out for 212 after they were 72 for no loss at one stage. Justin Greaves made 12 off 31 but Shai Hope attacked from the other end to help the hosts make a solid start. However, Craig Young and McBrine bagged two wickets each to leave West Indies in trouble at 85 for 4. Things went from bad to worse as Roston Chase's wicket in the 23rd over left them hurting at 101 for 6.

Jason Holder and Romario Shepherd steadied things with a 62-run stand for the seventh wicket and brightened the prospect of West Indies posting a fighting total. Resistance from the lower order frustrated Ireland a bit as Akeal Hosein and Odean Smith too made handy contributions. Holder's run out in the 41st over also turned out to be a crucial moment in the contest but the late push got West Indies over the 200-run mark and gave the bowlers something to work with.

William Porterfield fell on the first ball of the chase, but Paul Stirling and McBrine made 72 for the second wicket to give Ireland a platform to go forward. Even as Stirling fell to Hosein, there was another, ther was another half-century stand between Harry Tector and McBrine to place Ireland comfortably at 153 for 2 in the 31st over.

The drama started when McBrine was lbw to Smith as the visitors went from being 152 for 2 to 197 for 6 to give West Indies a chance to make a comeback in the game. Gareth Delany made 10 but there was another wobble with Ireland just four runs away as they lost two more wickets.

Mark Adair and Young took the side home to ensure Ireland were able to pick 20 crucial ODI Super League points and jump to third in the table with six wins from 18 matches.

Brief scores: West Indies 212 in 44 overs (Shai Hope 53; Andy McBrine 4-28) lost to Ireland 214/8 in 44.5 overs (Andy McBrine 59; Roston Chase 3-44) by two wickets.