Just three days into the ICC World Cup 2015, Ireland have already created a major upset defeating West Indies at Saxton Oval, New Zealand by 4 wickets with 25 balls remaining. It is a historic win for Ireland.
Having won the toss, Ireland put the West Indies into bat, and the Caribbean nation put up a good score of 300 odd runs, which during the time was thought to be a winning total.
West Indies did not start their innings well, as they lost three wickets with just 78 runs on the board and Ireland were a jubilant lot with one of the key West Indies players, Chris Gayle back in the pavilion, who scored an uncharacteristic 36 off 65 balls.
It was a surprising inning from the lanky left hander who is known for thrashing bowlers all around the park.
To make it worse, they lost two quick wickets and the score read 87 for 5, but a great partnership between Lendl Simmons and Darren Sammy brought some respectability to the score. Simmons scored 102 runs, while the former skipper scored 89 runs.
When Ireland batsmen came into bat, they were aware of the importance of a brisk start and their openers Paul Stirling and William Porterfield did not disappoint their fans. They lost their first wicket with 71 runs on the board.
But, it was the partnership between Ed Joyce and Stirling, which put the West Indies into back foot and the first upset of the competition loomed large with every run Ireland scored.
Both the players were unfortunate to miss out on a century, as Stirling scored 92 runs and Joyce 84, but they scored at a healthy strike rate of more than 100, which was essential for chasing a score of 300 plus runs.
The game turned out to be an interesting affair as Ireland fans in the stadium were biting their nails, for Jerome Taylor was bowling at brisk face to bring back the Windies into the game.
The Ireland players gradually lost their way as they plummeted from 273 for three wickets to 291 for 6, but it was the experience of Niall O'Brien who saw them home with a score of 79 runs from 60 balls.
With this victory the pool has been thrown wide open with Ireland also having a chance of qualifying from the group stages.
Other teams in this group are Zimbabwe, UAE, Pakistan, India and South Africa.
