Ireland climbed to the top of the Women's T20I Tri-Nation Series table after securing a dramatic one-run victory over West Indies via the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method in the fourth match at Clontarf. The win came after rain halted Ireland's chase, leaving the hosts just ahead on the DLS par score when play was abandoned.
Match Overview
The result followed Ireland's triumph over Pakistan on Sunday and marked their first-ever T20I win against West Indies. West Indies, asked to bat first, posted 141 for 8 in their allotted 20 overs. Orla Prendergast was the pick of the bowlers for Ireland, claiming 2 for 26, including the crucial wickets of Aaliyah Alleyne and Zaida James in the closing stages. However, it was Ava Canning who proved most economical, returning figures of 2 for 11 from her four overs and removing openers Hayley Matthews and Qiana Joseph early in the innings.
West Indies Innings
West Indies were reduced to 53 for 5 at one point, with captain Stafanie Taylor retiring hurt on nine. A vital 44-run partnership between Shemaine Campbelle (21) and Jannillea Glasgow (36) helped the visitors recover from the early collapse and reach a competitive total of 141 for 8.
Ireland's Chase
Ireland's reply got off to a disastrous start as Shawnisha Hector struck twice in the opening over, leaving the hosts at 2 for 2 almost immediately. Prendergast then took control of the innings with a sensational unbeaten 71 off 46 balls, smashing 11 fours and a six. Her knock accounted for nearly 72 per cent of Ireland's runs and kept the chase on track despite wickets tumbling at the other end. Ireland slipped to 5 down in 10.3 overs, but Prendergast continued to score freely and forged a crucial sixth-wicket stand with Louise Little.
Little struggled initially, scoring just five runs from her first seven deliveries, but she produced a vital boundary at the start of the 15th over. That shot took Ireland to 99 for 5 after 14.1 overs, moving them past the DLS par score of 98. Rain then halted play, and the match could not be resumed. As Ireland were one run ahead on DLS at the time, they were declared winners.
Series Standings
Ireland and West Indies now both have two wins from three matches in the series, while Pakistan remain without a victory after two games. Ireland will next face Pakistan at the same venue on Thursday.
Brief scores: West Indies 141/8 in 20 overs (Jannillea Glasgow 36; Ava Canning 2-11, Orla Prendergast 2-26) lost to Ireland 99/5 in 14.1 overs (Orla Prendergast 71*; Shawnisha Hector 2-21) by 1 run (via DLS).
