IRELAND sealed a shock win in their World Cup Pool B opener, defeating the West Indies by four-wickets in Nelson, New Zealand.
The West Indies recovered from 87-5 to post 304-7, after Lendl Simmons (102) and Darren Sammy (89) totalled a 154-run partnership.
But Ireland responded with captain William Porterfield and Paul Stirling putting on 71, with the Middlesex batsman (92) then partnering with Ed Joyce (84) to score 106.
Niall O'Brien’s contribution, 79 not out, ensured victory for Ireland with 25 balls remaining.
The West Indies’ batsmen struggled to make an impression, with Chris Gayle striking 36 from 65 balls, Dwayne Smith (18), Darren Bravo (nought), Marlon Samuels (21) and Denesh Ramdin (one), with 22-year-old George Dockrell taking three wickets for 50.
Sammy’s partnership with Simmons improved the run rate, posting 154 from 127 balls, but Sammy became the sixth wicket to fall in the 44th over.
Man-of-the match Stirling hit three sixes in his innings and was eight runs away from claiming his sixth ODI hundred, before his pace slowed due to cramp in the 28th over.
Sussex-captain Joyce’s 106-run partnership with Stirling ended when the latter was caught out, with Ireland 177 for two with 22 overs remaining.
Joyce was then joined by O’Brien until his departure for 84 off 65 balls, after which Ireland lost four wickets for 18 runs.
It was John Mooney (six not out) who posted Ireland’s final runs, securing Ireland’s fourth World Cup win over a Test team.
Ireland, ranked 11th, reached the second group stage in 2007.
They now face the UAE, South Africa, Zimbabwe, India and Pakistan in a bid to secure a top-four place in Pool B and a place in the quarter-finals.
Ireland v UAE - 25 February, Brisbane
