News Digest

World Cup shock as Ireland chase down 305 to beat the West Indies

Paul Stirling and Ed Joyce came agonisingly close to centuries but still helped Ireland cause the first upset of the 2015 cricket World Cup with a four-wicket victory over West Indies at Saxton Oval in Nelson on Monday. Opener Stirling scored 92 and shared in a 106-run partnership with Joyce (84) while Niall O’Brien added 79 not out to guide Ireland to 307 for six in 45.5 overs after West Indies had scored 304 for seven. It is the third successive World Cup they have beaten a Test-playing team after victories over Pakistan and Bangladesh in 2007 and England in 2011.

We know what we are capable of and we believed going out the pitch today, that we could win not only this game but other games in the competition and we want to continue that.

Ireland captain Will Porterfield

West Indies only posted a score in excess of 300 due to a counter-attacking century from Lendl Simmons (102), who combined with Darren Sammy (89) in a 154-run sixth-wicket partnership. Jason Holder’s side had been in disarray before the tournament with off-spinner Sunil Narine withdrawing and the players involved in a bitter wrangle with their board over payments.

We need to tighten up and be better in the games to come.

West Indies captain Jason Holder