West Indies clinched a first home ODI series win since 2014 thanks to a one-wicket victory over Ireland on Thursday.
Paul Stirling’s 63 helped the Irish to post a competitive 237-9 after the tourists won the toss and opted to bat. Alzarri Joseph (4/32) was the pick of the bowlers for the hosts.
Nicholas Pooran hit 52 while an unbeaten 46 from Hayden Walsh saw the Windies close in on the target.
In a dramatic final over, Ireland wasted two run-out opportunities before Sheldon Cottrell won it with a six off the penultimate ball to make it 2-0.
Mark Adair was at fault for the run-out chances as the ball slipped from his grasp twice with Cottrell getting a double reprieve.
The number 11, who earlier registered figures of 3-51, capitalized by smashing a maximum when the hosts required two from the last two deliveries off Adair.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
That was a tense finish. The value of bowlers taking their batting seriously was shown up at Kensingnton Oval tonight. @Irelandcricket were courageous and committed. Victory was in their hands twice. Congrats on another series victory for @windiescricket .
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) January 10, 2020
All heroes don't wear capes..sometimes they wear Maroon!❤ WHAT A FINISH from @SaluteCotterell & @rashidi_jr_268!!🙌🏾#MenInMaroon🌴 #ItsOurGame pic.twitter.com/rNJRT3pktT
— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) January 10, 2020
👏👏👏 West Indies, but 👏👏👏 every player on both teams. 100 overs of cricket came down to that. #WIvIRE ☘️🏏 pic.twitter.com/KtNENEdnHY
— Cricket Ireland (@cricketireland) January 10, 2020
Story of Sheldon Cottrell in last one year:
Return to the side during Eng series.
Highest wicket-taker for WI in World Cup
Becoming the leader of the WI bowling attack.
Took Kohli's few times.
IPL contract.
Winning six against IRE.More than a nice guy, cool, calm.#WIvIRE
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 10, 2020
10-1-32-4
For his brilliant bowling, Alzarri Joseph is the Player of the Match 👏#WIvIRE pic.twitter.com/pxgg00Js9W
— ICC (@ICC) January 10, 2020
He's done it again!🥳 Alzarri Joseph had another Player of the Match performance in the Colonial Medical Insurance ODI series vs Ireland!
Congrats @AlzarriJoseph !👏👏 pic.twitter.com/9RDj5PY1aA
— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) January 10, 2020
That game would have been great at a World Cup I reckon #WIvIRE
— Daniel Beswick (@DGBeswick1) January 10, 2020
This is the frame that I believe confirms the 3rd umpire’s inconclusive ‘not out’ decision in #WIvIRE It looks like the ball is barely touching the stump (if it actually even is) when the bails are broken. Combine this with other frames, I feel like the correct decision was made pic.twitter.com/eXyp8zFlpX
— JMurt (@SportingFreak63) January 10, 2020
Next ball, Cottrell gets abandoned running for a second and slips
But once again, Ireland throw the game away, with a poor throw and fumble allowing him to get back safely #WIvIRE pic.twitter.com/eGPNtdym0T
— Nathan Williamson (@NathJWilliamson) January 10, 2020
West Indies won the nail-biting thriller #WIvIRE pic.twitter.com/uyu69ocPV2
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) January 10, 2020
🌴🏏#WIvIRE Absolutely magnificent!!! WI WIN!😁🎉 West Indies recover from 148/7 thanks to Hayden Walsh (46*), Khary Pierre (18) and Alzarri Joseph (16) to 242/9. What a VICTORY!!! What a MATCH!! Cottrell is almost run out twice and then hits the winning six!! WI win the series! pic.twitter.com/qzdUK5SIxE
— WIPA (@wiplayers) January 10, 2020
A mess on both teams just then#WIvIRE🏏 pic.twitter.com/vliFW89zox
— Melvin (@MTKigz) January 10, 2020
West Indies squeeze home in a thriller and take the series win! #WIvIRE pic.twitter.com/Tk6mHQofal
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) January 10, 2020
What a finish, thought we had it, think the TV umpire got a tough call wrong but other mistakes will hurt tonight too, cracking match 👏👏☘🏏 #WIvIRE
— Peter Boyd (@fibrofella) January 10, 2020
That is the only decision he could make with the evidence. #WIvIRE
— Emmet Riordan (@emmetrd) January 10, 2020
https://twitter.com/Ishisuru1/status/1215452258961248257
Pants! #WIvIRE Unlucky @Irelandcricket you gave it your all 👏🏻
— Tom Keating (@tomdkeating) January 10, 2020