With the help of opener Lendl Simmons’s unbeaten 91-run knock of ten sixes, West Indies equalized the series by defeating Ireland by 9 wickets in the third and final T20 International cricket match here on Sunday. Lendl Simmons, nephew of West Indies coach Phil Simmons, also hit five fours in his 40-ball innings. This is his highest score in this format which he scored just 5 days before his 35th birthday. West Indies had an easy target of 139 runs and Simmons gave his team an easy win over off-spinner Simi Singh for a six over midwicket. His fellow opener Evin Lewis scored 46 off 25 balls which included four fours and three sixes.
West Indies won with 54 balls to spare. Thus, the three-match series was reduced to 1-1. Ireland won the first match by four runs while the second match had to be canceled due to rain. Earlier, the West Indies bowled Ireland out for 138 with the brilliant bowling of experienced all-rounder Kieran Pollard and Dwayne Bravo.
Captain Pollard took three for 17 and Bravo took three for 19. Bravo has now recorded 57 wickets in 69 matches and has become the highest wicket-taker for the West Indies in this format. He broke the record of leg-spinner Samuel Badree (54). Ireland had started well and scored 50 runs in 3.3 overs without loss but after that their innings faltered. Only four of his batsmen reached double digits, with opener Kevin O’Brien scoring the highest score of 36.
West Indies defeated Ireland by 9 wickets
