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Sheldon Cottrell finished the thrilling run chase with a maximum off Mark Adair (Source: Reuters file photo)
West Indies fast bowler Sheldon Cottrell finished a thriller of a run chase Thursday in style, hitting a six off the penultimate delivery of the match. Cottrell’s six helped the hosts win by the narrowest of margins against Ireland at Kensington Oval, Bridgetown Barbados. The 30-year-old became the first No 11 batsman in the history of ODI cricket to finish a chase with a six.
Cottrell survived two run-out attempts in the final over of West Indies’ run chase. Chasing a target of 238, the top order had collapsed. A fifth-wicket partnership between Nicholas Pooran and skipper Kieron Pollard helped them get back in the game, but when they were dismissed the run chase was in disarray. Pooran scored a half-century, while Pollard scored a 40 runs off 32 balls.
However, the lower order was up to the task. Hayden Walsh who remained unbeaten for 46 runs from 67 deliveries kept the chase alive with the contributions of Khary Pierre (18) and Alzarri Joseph (16).
Cottrell then finishes the game off with a six, gifting West Indies the one wicket win
Cricket is the gift that keeps on giving #WIvIRE pic.twitter.com/npis8kmh0T
— Nathan Williamson (@NathW1997) January 10, 2020
Simi Singh was the most successful bowler for Ireland taking three wickets for 48 runs. Andy McBrine and Barry McCarthy took two wickets each. Boyd Rankin bowled an economical spell as well. However, Mark Adair and Gareth Delany turned out to be the weak links in the bowling attack.
“Today was pretty emotional for me. It was the 10th anniversary of my father’s death. He taught me everything I know in cricket. The fans urged me on. This win was for my Dad and the fans “
– Hayden Walsh Jr. on his crucial contribution to WI historic win vs @Irelandcricket 🏏 pic.twitter.com/10uiWpuIg4
— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) January 10, 2020
Earlier Andrew Balbirnie won the toss and elected to bat first. Once again Joseph took four wickets for 32 runs in his 10 overs, the same stats he had notched up in the first ODI of the three-ODI series. Opener Paul Stirling top-scored for the Irish side scoring 63 runs from 79 deliveries.
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“The wicket was a bit more even than in the first game, and we wanted to bat sensibly to get to the score,“ man-of- the-match Joseph said.
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