Ireland levels series against West Indies
Guyanese Cricketer Romario Shepherd scored a crucial half century for the West Indies in Thursday’s match, but his impressive performance could not edge the team to victory.
Ireland has now levelled the ODI series with their five wicket win over the West Indies in a rain-hit second match.
Ireland were decided as match winner by the Duckworth–Lewis–Stern method which calculated the projected target score of a team batting second (in this case Ireland) in a match interrupted by weather or other circumstances.
The under-strength Ireland side, which had a number of players missing out with Covid-19 - including captain Andy Balbirnie - reduced the hosts to 43 for 3 after opting to field.
Hosts West Indies then slipped from 91 for 3 to 111 for 7, but a 58-run ninth-wicket partnership between Romario Shepherd and Odean Smith lifted the side and took the total past 200.
“When I went you know; a lot of overs were remaining. It was just to try and stay there till the end. And you know, the last five overs was the target. Then eventually when Odean (Smith) came in you know he take a lot of weight off me with the way he played today so that was good for me there at that stage of the game.”
Remarks Guyanese cricketer Romario Shepherd.
Shepherd plans to not become complacent with his performance heading into the deciding match on Sunday.
“Basically don’t get comfortable with you know one performance you know. Basically you know this is a start, you have a good foundation here. So come next game it’s all about repeating the good performances and remember the good things you did in the last innings, you know batting or bowling. And for us to be consistent at this level we need to work harder.”
he said.
Earlier, the West Indies recovered from being 111-7 to be bowled out for 229 in 48 overs thanks to a well-made 50 from Romario Shepherd and an aggressive 46 off 19 balls from Odean Smith.
The third and final ODI will take place on Sunday at Sabina Park, Jamaica. (ESPN Cric Info)
