Published on 12:00 AM, May 12, 2019

Ambris ton seals West Indies win

West Indies batman Sunil Ambris smashed 148 runs off 126 balls to better (Below) Ireland’s Andrew Balbirnie’s 124-ball 135 during a ODI tri-series match in Dublin yesterday. West Indies won the match by 5 wickets chasing Ireland’s 327. Photo: Cricket Ireland
Agencies, Dublin

Sunil Ambris’s 126-ball 148 headlined West Indies’ five-wicket victory against Ireland in a tri-nation ODI series match in Dublin yesterday, with the tourists hunting down the target of 328 in 47.5 overs. Having lost two of their three matches so far, with one game abandoned, Ireland are out of contention to qualify for the final.

While chasing a target in excess of 300, the pair of Shai Hope and Ambris provided West Indies the much needed impetus with an opening stand of 84.

Boyd Rankin, the experienced seamer, broke the threatening stand by removing Hope. To make matters worse for the West Indies, Darren Bravo mistimed one to long on as the visitors lost their second wicket. Despite losing batting partners at the other end, Ambris continued to play with freedom, collecting boundaries off Tim Murtagh and Mark Adair.

Andrew Balbirnie scored a 124-ball 135, smashing 11 fours and four sixes, against the West Indies during a ODI tri-series match in Dublin yesterday. His efforts, combined with Kevin O’Brien’s quickfire 63, hepled the hosts post a healthy 327 for five. The Windies were going well after the exchange, having reached 146 for two inside 25 overs. Photo: Cricket Ireland

Roston Chase also joined in the act with a string of boundaries. With the duo adding more than hundred runs for the third wicket, West Indies were well and truly in the ascendancy. At that stage, Rankin provided a window of opportunity for Ireland by prising out Ambris with a delivery that climbed awkwardly. However, Jason Holder (36 off 24) and Jonathan Carter (43 not out off 27) survived a few jitters to take the side close to the finishing line.

Earlier, Andrew Balbirnie compiled his fourth ODI ton (135) while Paul Stirling and Kevin O’Brien cracked fifties to power Ireland’s innings. After Ireland opted to bat, the hosts lost James McCollum for just five. However, Stirling and Balbirnie set the foundation for a healthy score with a stand of 146 for the second wicket.

The hosts will play their last game of the tournament against Bangladesh on May 15 in Dublin, while West Indies will take on the Asian team in two more matches, including the final.

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