West Indies smash Ireland in high-scoring 3rd T20I

Shilpa Rajan June 25, 2025

West Indies returned to action after a long wait, facing Ireland in a much-anticipated clash. After two rain-washed games, the third one took place. West Indies were asked to bat, and the visitors showed their true colours. Impressive hitting by the batters helped the West Indies clinch the T20I series. 450 runs were scored in 40 overs, and the batters smashed 31 sixes in the match.

West Indies: Lewis-Hope provides a solid start

West Indies needed a strong start and had an experienced pair opening the innings for them. Evin Lewis and Shai Hope had no hesitation in taking on the bowlers. This duo added 70 runs in the powerplay. It took Ireland 63 balls to take the first wicket. The visitors had already posted 122 runs on the board when Hope’s wicket fell. The West Indies captain scored his sixth T20I half-century. He was dismissed on 51.

Evin Lewis continued his charge. Rovman Powell was promoted up in the order, but he failed to capitalise on the opportunity. Lewis remained the aggressor but was eventually dismissed on 91 of just 44 balls. The left-hander smashed eight sixes in the innings.

Debutant Keacy Carty played a solid knock of 49 in just 22 balls towards the end. He, along with Holder and Shepherd, added a few runs to the total. West Indies ended their innings on 256 for the loss of five wickets.

Humphreys impresses, but a debut to forget for Liam McCarthy

All Irish bowlers went for more than 10 runs per over except one. Matthew Humphreys impressed everyone with his left-arm spin attack. The 22-year-old bowled his four overs and took two wickets. He gave away just 16 runs and even bowled two overs in the powerplay. Other Irish bowlers conceded 240 runs in 16 overs.

Liam McCarthy was an Irish debutant in this match. He had a day to forget as he conceded 81 runs in his four overs. These are the second-most-expensive figures in T20I cricket.

Decent start, but middle order struggles

Ireland were chasing a big total, but they lost their captain, Paul Sterling, in the second over of the innings. Harry Tector joined Ross Adair in the middle. These two added 101 runs for the second wicket in just 58 deliveries. Tector was the first one to go. The 25-year-old scored 38 runs. His wicket was followed by Tucker’s wicket. Soon, Ross Adair joined his buddies in the dressing room. The opening batter fell just two runs short of his second T20I fifty.

Tim Tector and George Dockrell failed to score big runs. It was Mark Adair who smashed a few sixes towards the end. He finished not out on 31 runs. Ireland posted 194 runs for the loss of seven wickets.

Akeal Hosein had an impressive outing with the ball. After conceding 13 runs in his first over, the left-arm spinner just gave away 27 runs in four overs. He took three wickets. Holder took two wickets for the winning team.