The West Indies staved off Ireland’s spirited challenge for a 44-run win in a Group B match to inch closer to the quarterfinals of the Cricket World Cup on Friday.
Ed Joyce (84) and Gary Wilson (61) fought bravely but Ireland could manage only 231 before losing all their wickets in 49 overs to fall well short of West Indies’ total of 275.
Earlier, opener Devon Smith (107) struck his maiden century in one-day internationals, but it was Kieron Pollard’s stroke-filled 94 off 55 balls that helped West Indies to put behind a sluggish start and post 275 all out in exactly 50 overs.
Smith added 89 runs with Shivnarine Chanderpaul (35) for the opening stand before Pollard joined him in the middle to hit five sixes and eight fours in his belligerent knock. — Reuters
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