Knight Riders batter smashes 170 as West Indies beat Ireland by 197 runs to draw series 1-1

28-year-old Keacy Carty registered his career best score of 170 as West Indies beat Ireland by 197 runs to draw the three-ODI series 1-1. Carty who represents Trinbago Knight Riders in CPL, smashed 15 fours and eight sixes in his 170 off 142 deliveries. The target was reduced to 363 from 46 overs due to rain but Ireland failed to put up a fight. They were bowled out for 165 in the 30th over as West Indies claimed a huge win in Dublin.

Carty goes big, Greaves' quickfire fifty

Earlier, Ireland skipper Paul Stirling won the toss and opted to field first. Barry McCarthy struck twice with the new ball, dismissing both openers. Carty and captain Shai Hope shared a 137-run partnership. Hope fell for a run-a-ball 75 to Andy McBrine. Amir Jangoo played second fiddle as Carty did the bulk of scoring in middle overs. Left-arm spinner George Dockrell dismissed Jangoo for a 36-ball 22.  

In the slog overs, Carty and Justin Greaves went berserk. Barry conceded 28 runs in his ninth over. Liam McCarthy stopped Carty from scoring his double century. He dpearted in the 48th over. In the same over, Greaves reached his fifty from just 22 balls. He fell to Barry in the penultimate over. In the final over, Matthew Forde departed for a five-ball 12. Roston Chase and Gudakesh Motie helped West Indies post 385/7.

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Carty's 170 is the joint third-highest ODI score against Ireland. Also, Barry became the third bowler in ODIs to concede 100 runs and take three wickets.

No fightback from the Irish

In the run chase, Balbirnie was knocked over by Jayden Seales in the second over. Stirling went all out in the powerplay overs, taking the aerial route. He completed 6,000 ODIs runs before falling to Seales for a 19-ball 26. In the same over, Seales was dismissed for a five-ball duck. Lorcan Tucker and Cade Carmichael tried getting the run chase back on track. Alzarri Joseph broke the partnership in the 21st over with Tucker's wicket. He scored 29 runs from 31 balls. Carmichael could not make the most of dropped catches and got bowled by Greaves for a 61-ball 48. The hosts lost half the side for 112.

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In the 29th over, Chase was introduced into the attack. The off-spinner got rid of Dockrell and Barry. In the 30th over, Liam was run out as Ireland were bowled out for 165. Joshua Little and Jordan Neill did not turn out to bat due to injuries sustained during fielding.

Carty was named 'Player of the series' as he scored a century in the second ODI as well. The second innings was washed out due to rain. 

West Indies' next challenge

West Indies will now head to England where they will play a three-ODI series commencing May 29. It will be a followed by a three-T20I series starting June 6. The Caribbean team will return to Ireland for a three-T20I series as well.