West Indies suffered another batting collapse as they were bowled out for 179 in the run chase of 304 in Dublin and lost to hosts Ireland by a huge margin of 124 runs. After Andy Balbirnie's ninth ODI century, the Shai Hope-led side failed the Barry McCarthy challenge with the new ball and were reduced to 31/5 in the 10th over.
The visitors were outclassed in all departments of the game in the series opener. This was two-time ODI World Champions' third consecutive defeat in the format against the Irish.
Dominating opening partnership
Hope won the toss and opted to field first. Balbirnie took his time while skipper Paul Stirling attacked. A run out and stumping chance was missed and Stirling became the first Ireland batter to complete 10,000 runs in international cricket. The newly-appointed Test skipper Roston Chase got the breakthrough with Stirling's wicket. The opener scored 54 runs from 64 balls. Stirling and Balbirnie shared a 109-run partnership. Balbirnie reached his fifty from 88 balls. Debutant Cade Carmichael fell for a 21-ball 16.
Balbirnie hits ton, Tector scores fifty
Balbirnie accelerated as he cleared the fence a few times. Harry Tector looked to score quickly as well. The opener reached his century from 131 balls. In the 44th over, he lost his wicket to Alzarri Joseph. Balbirnie hit nine fours and four sixes in his 112 off 138 balls. In the 47th over, Tector reached his fifty from 47 balls. Joseph struck again, dismissing the dangerous Tector who scored 56 runs from 51 balls. In the penultimate over, Matthew Forde struck twice to dismis Lorcan Tucker and George Dockrell. Tucker contributed with an 18-ball 30 cameo. Thomas Mayes' last-ball four helped Ireland post 303/6.
Barry causes massive collapse
Brandon King was dropped early in the run chase. In the third over, Evin Lewis was run out as West Indies openers struggled to rotate strike. Keacy Carty hit one four but on the next ball became Barry's first victim. King could not do much damage either and was dismissed in Barry's fifth over. Then, Amir Jangoo returned to the pavillion for a two-ball duck. Debutant Mayes joined the party with captain Hope's wicket. West Indies were 31/5 after 9.4 overs. Justin Greaves hit four fours off Barry's sixth over. He was dropped by Tector at mid-off. Graves continued to attack and welcomed Joshua Little with two boundaries. Left-arm pacer Little ended Greaves' knock in the 15th over. Greaves departed for a 17-ball 35.
Run chase ends soon after Chase's fall
Chase's catch was dropped by Tucker in the 16th over. He replied with a six in the next over. Cahse reached his half-century from 67 balls in the 30th over. Just when West Indies were getting back on track, left-arm spinner Dockrell knocked over Chase. He scored 55 runs from 76 balls, including four fours and two sixes. In his next over, Dockrell got the wickets of Joseph and Gudakesh Motie as well. Barry returned to finish off the proceedings with Forde's wicket. He scored 38 runs from 48 balls. West Indies were bowled out for 179 in 34.1 overs.