Bangladesh v West Indies

At Castle Avenue, Dublin, May 21. West Indies won by seven wickets. Toss: Bangladesh.

West Indies won the first official one-day international played on Irish soil comfortably enough, despite some deplorable fielding. A bitter wind and squally showers were scant excuse for four dropped catches, three by Simmons. And, just as they did against Pakistan, West Indies failed to exploit early successes: Mehrab Hossain and Naimur Rahman added a confident 85 after coming together at 55 for four. Ambrose was nursing a sore shoulder, but Walsh compensated, and picked up four victims at little cost.

Bangladesh's attack caused few worries, and all three West Indian wickets fell to unforced errors. Campbell hoisted a full toss to deep square leg; Jacobs was undone by athletic fielding by Shahriar Hossain; and Lara, after briefly entertaining the crowd with four fours, patted the ball tamely to cover. For West Indies, though, haunted by their defeat by Kenya in the 1996 World Cup, the manner of victory was of secondary importance. In conditions not unusual for an Irish May, the drinks cart dispensed hot soup, while West Indian manager Clive Lloyd watched swathed in blankets.

Man of the Match: C. A. Walsh. Attendance: 3,339.