Ireland topped the women’s T20I tri-series table after beating West Indies by one run in the fourth match in Clontarf. The result came after rain brought Ireland’s chase to an early end, with the hosts leading on DLS scores when play was stopped.The victory followed Ireland’s win against Pakistan on Sunday and marked their first T20I win against the West Indies.West Indies scored 141 runs for the loss of 8 wickets in the allotted 20 overs. Orla Prendergast took 2 wickets for 26 runs, including the wickets of Alia Allen and Zaida James in the closing stages. Eva Canning was Ireland’s most effective bowler, returning 2 wickets for 11 runs in four overs and dismissing Hayley Matthews and Kiana Joseph early in the innings.West Indies were reduced to 53 for 5 at one stage, with Stephanie Taylor retiring on nine. A 44-run partnership between Shaman Campbell (21) and Genelia Glasgow (36) helped them recover and reach 141 for 8.Ireland’s chase got off to a poor start as Shaunisha Hector struck twice in the opening over to see the hosts lose two wickets almost immediately. Prendergast then took control of the innings with an unbeaten 71 off 46 balls with 11 fours and a six.His innings accounted for nearly 72 per cent of Ireland’s runs and kept the chase going despite wickets falling at the other end. Ireland fell to 5 in 10.3 overs, but Prendergast continued to score freely and added a sixth-wicket partnership with Louis Little.Chhoti struggled initially, scoring just five runs off his first seven balls, but he hit a crucial boundary at the start of the 15th over. The shot took Ireland to 99 for 5 after 14.1 overs, taking them past DLS’s equal score of 98.The game was stopped due to rain and the match could not be resumed. As Ireland were one run ahead on DLS at that point, they were declared the winners.Ireland and West Indies have now won two each from the three matches in the series, while Pakistan are winless after two matches. Ireland will next face Pakistan at the same venue on Thursday.Short Score: West Indies 141/8 in 20 overs (Genelia Glasgow 36; Ava Canning 2-11, Orla Prendergast 2-26) lost. Ireland 99/5 in 14.1 Overs (Orla Prendergast 71*; Shaunisha Hector 2-21) by 1 run (via DLS)
