Ireland seek course correction

After conceding the tri-series opener to West Indies by 196 runs, Ireland will look for their first win of the series when the two teams collide again on Saturday.

Their second game against Bangladesh was then washed out. With the Asian side also winning a game so far, it is highly impossible for Ireland to beat the odds and enter the final.

The last clash between West Indies and Ireland had a world-record opening partnership, a near-400-run total, and a near-200-run victory. On the positive side, that’s the sort of performance that will do wonders for the side’s confidence ahead of ICC World Cup 2019.

On the flip side, however, West Indies could do with more competition – the harder they are pushed ahead of CWC 2019, the better.

Ireland are not a part of the tournament, so there are no immediate big-picture implications from their perspective. But a win against two of the top ten ODI teams in the world would be a wonderful next step in their progression, exactly a year removed from their Test debut.