Ireland beat WI by 4-wicket
Ireland have beaten the Caribbean by 4-wicket at their opening encounter at Saxton Oval of Nelson in New Zealand on Monday.
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.
Chasing a total of 305 they reached the mark with 4 wickets and 25 balls to spare.
Paul Stirling is awarded Man of the Match for his sensible 92 runs off 115 balls.
This is the first successful chase in this edition of ICC world cup cricket.
Ireland, known for their ability to stun big opponents have justified their reputation with stunning, fluent cricket.
Opener Stirling made a magnificent 92 while Ed Joyce played an entertaining 84. Their second wicket partnership of 106 was intrumental to the success after they found a solid opening stand of 71 between Stirling and Porterfield.
Neil O` Brien did the job of a finisher, came in number 4 he remained not out for a squash buckling 79 runs to guide his side home.
Earlier, West Indies posted the score of 304/7 after their stipulated 50 overs.
The Caribbean side was reeling in trouble when they lost half of their wickets for just 87 at the 24th over of the innings.
It was Lendl Simmons and former captain Darren Sammy who scored a wonderful 154-run partnership to save the sinking ship of West Indies.
Irish spinner George Dockrell picked up three wickets for 50 while Andy Mcbrine though wicketless but given away only 26 runs in his 10 overs to restrict the opponent.
Irealnad, one of the associate members of ICC, have been famous for killing giant will try to chase down the run. A flat batting track and smallish ground may help their cause of hunting another giant in the cricketing arena.
They beat Pakistan in 2007 and England at 2011 world cup. In the latter match they chase a tough 325 runs to claim victory against their neighbour.
Ireland Team: WTS Porterfield (C), PR Stirling, EC Joyce, NJ O`Brien, A Balbirnie, GC Wilson (WK), KJ O`Brien, JF Mooney, MC Sorensen, GH Dockrell and AR McBrine
West Indies Team: CH Gayle, DR Smith, DM Bravo, MN Samuels, D Ramdin (WK), LMP Simmons, DJG Sammy, AD Russell, JO Holder (C), SJ Benn and JE Taylor
