Ireland v West Indies
Wisden's review of the fifth match, Ireland v West Indies
15-Apr-2016
At Nelson, February 16, 2015. Ireland won by four wickets. Toss: Ireland.
Ireland's strong showing at previous World Cups meant that the scalp of another Full Member - their fourth, after Pakistan and Bangladesh in 2007, and England in 2011 - was no great surprise. (They also became the first side in the tournament's history to chase down 300 or more on three occasions.) West Indies did not ooze invincibility: without the well-travelled Trinidadian all-rounders Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard, who were omitted in the aftermath of the aborted tour of India, they were captained by the inexperienced Holder. Put in, they made 304, though on a small ground that left the door ajar. Joyce hit a classy 84 from 67 balls, sharing stands of 106 with Stirling - Man of the Match for his hard-hit 92 - and 96 with Niall O'Brien, who became the first Ireland batsman to score 500 World Cup runs.
Ireland's strong showing at previous World Cups meant that the scalp of another Full Member - their fourth, after Pakistan and Bangladesh in 2007, and England in 2011 - was no great surprise. (They also became the first side in the tournament's history to chase down 300 or more on three occasions.) West Indies did not ooze invincibility: without the well-travelled Trinidadian all-rounders Dwayne Bravo and Kieron Pollard, who were omitted in the aftermath of the aborted tour of India, they were captained by the inexperienced Holder. Put in, they made 304, though on a small ground that left the door ajar. Joyce hit a classy 84 from 67 balls, sharing stands of 106 with Stirling - Man of the Match for his hard-hit 92 - and 96 with Niall O'Brien, who became the first Ireland batsman to score 500 World Cup runs.
O'Brien steered them to a convincing victory, despite a wobble that, with 32 needed, saw four wickets tumble for 18 in five overs. There was no panic, however, and Mooney - as he had against England in 2011 - hit the winning four. Sammy, like Mooney fined for audible obscenities, had been instrumental in West Indies' recovery from 87 for five. He and Lendl Simmons added 154 as the innings picked up pace: Russell smashed 27 from 13
balls as the last ten overs yielded 124. Ireland's performance, described by Phil Simmons (Lendl's uncle) as probably the best he had seen during his time with them, strengthened his hand as West Indies searched for a new coach; they appointed him a month later. IAN CALLENDER
Man of the Match: P. R. Stirling.
Man of the Match: P. R. Stirling.