Ireland stun World T20 champs WIndies

Ireland added to their list of giant-killing victories with a six-wicket win over World Twenty20 champions West Indies in the first T20 international at Jamaica’s Sabina Park on Thursday. It was at Kingston where Ireland dramatically defeated Pakistan in 2007 ODI World Cup. And seven years on from that success, Ireland upset one of the sport’s ‘big boys’ once again, with former England batsman Ed Joyce making a decisive 40 not out. West Indies were restricted to 116 for eight in their 20 overs with Tim Murtagh, Alex Cusack and Kevin O’Brien scalping two wickets apiece. Ireland, coached by former West Indies batsman Phil Simmons, collapsed to 37 for three in reply. But a stand of 58 between Joyce, captain of English county side Sussex, and Andrew Porter steadied the innings. Joyce’s runs came off 49 balls and it was left to Kevin O’Brien to hit the winning runs as the men in green got home with five balls to spare.