West Indies started their campaign at the ICC World T20 Championship with a comprehensive 70-run win over Ireland in a low-scoring game here. Batting first,West Indies posted a small total of 139 runs losing nine wickets in the process. Darren Sammy (30) and Ramnaresh Sarwan (24) were the main contributors for West Indies. All rounder Dwayne Bravo,who was captaining the side in the absence of Chris Gayle,hit two sixes in his 10 balls innings of 18 runs. It was Darren Sammys late surge of 30 off 17 balls,which helped the islanders post a modest total. For Ireland,17-year old spinner George Dockrell gave the hosts an initial scare capturing three for 16 while Andre Botha,Alex Cusack and Boyd Rankin took two wickets each. Ireland never looked in the hunt while chasing the score and were bowled out for a meagre 68 in just 16.4 overs. West Indies were without Gayle,who missed the match after straining a buttock muscle,and also off-spinner Sulieman Benn and fast bowler Jerome Taylor as both had shoulder injuries. Ravi Rampaul made most of Benn and Taylors absence clicking with the ball at regular intervals. He returned with an economical figure of three for seventeen in three overs,while Bravo also chipped in with two for five in two overs. G.Wilson top scored for the green shirts with 17 runs from 34 balls.
