West Indies's star opener wreaked havoc at Bready Cricket Club, Northern Ireland to help his side post 256/5. Apart from Lewis' 44-ball 91, Shai Hope's half-century, Keacy Carty's unbeaten 49 and a few other cameos helped West Indies post the highest total in Ireland, their second-highest in T20Is. In reply, Ireland managed to post 194/7 and lost the match by a big margin of 62 runs. After two washed out games, West Indies clinched the series 1-0.
Windies openers go berserk
Ireland captain Paul Stirling won the toss and opted to bowl first. Lewis took his time in the powerplay overs while captain Hope found boundaries. Lewis hit two sixes in the fourth over. Liam McCarthy took a beating in his first over as Hope hit him for two sixes and then Lewis hit two fours. After powerplay overs, West Indies were 70 for no loss. Lewis got a reprieve as Tim Tector put down a catch off Matthew Humphreys' bowling. In the next over, Lewis reached his fifty with a maximum. Liam conceded 24 runs in his second over. In the 10th over, Hope reached his fifty from 23 balls. Barry McCarthy broke the partnership in the 11th over. Hope departed for a 27-ball 51.
Humphreys gets key wickets but Liam leaks boundaries
Humphreys seemed to be bowling on a different track. He got Rovman Powell stumped. Then, he got the wicket of Lewis who was nearing a century. Lewis' 44-ball 91 featured seven fours and eight sixes. Humphreys conceded just 16 runs in his quota of four overs in a high-scoring game. Stirling continued to trust Liam. Shimron Hetmyer and Carty hit him for 18 runs in 14th over. In the 16th over, Benjamin White dismissed Hemtyer for a seven-ball 15. In Liam's last over, Carty hit him for two sixes and a four. Liam conceded 81 runs, second most in a T20I.
In the penultimate over, Jason Holder got out for a 13-ball 18. Romario Shepherd could not hit the free hit ball but followed it up with two consecutive sixes. In the final over, Carty hit a six and a four before taking a single. Shepherd hit a six and rotated the strike. Carty finished the innings with a maximum. West Indies posted 256/5, second-highest total against Ireland.
Ireland put up a fight
Stirling got the run chase off to a terrific start, hitting Akeal Hosein for three consecutive fours. Holder dismissed him first ball in the next over. Ross Adair got an early reprieve as he was dropped by Alzarri Joseph at mid-off in the same over. After two boundary-less overs, Ross went after Holder, hitting him for two fours and a six. Harry Tector finished the over with a four. Holder conceded 21 runs. Ross hit Joseph for a six and a four. Joseph conceded 17 runs as Ireland had 64/1 on the board after powerplay overs.
Ireland lose wickets in cluster
Harry got a reprieve as well. Lewis dropped his catch off Shepherd's bowling. He replied with a six on the next ball. He hit Gudakesh Motie for two sixes as well. Harry found the fence off Joseph's bowling too. Ireland were 111/1 at the halfway stage. Roston Chase broke the partnership in the 11th over. Harry got out lbw for a 25-ball 38. Hosein came back to dismiss Lorcan Tucker and Ross in the 12th over. Ross missed his half-century as he departed for a 36-ball 48. George Dockrell hit three fours before falling to Hosein. Tim and Barry lost their wickets to Holder and Shepherd respectively. Mark contributed with an unbeaten 14-ball 31 as Ireland posted 194/7 and lost the match by 62 runs.