Kingston – Barbados Pride batsman Shamarh Brooks narrowly missed out on a One-day International hundred on debut, and West Indies set Ireland 270 to win the first ODI on Saturday in Jamaica.
The 33-year-old, one of three ODI newcomers for the Windies, hit nine fours and three sixes in a typically silky 93 off 89 balls, but the hosts were bowled out for 269 in 48.5 after they were sent in to bat on a difficult Sabina Park pitch.
West Indies captain Kieron Pollard supported with 69 from 66 balls that included four fours and four sixes, three off sucessive balls from off-spinner Andy McBrine in the 37th over, and put on a record 155 for the fifth wicket with Brooks.
The pair rescued the Windies from a wobbly 62 for four in the 19th over after the top order batting found scoring difficult against the disciplined Irish bowling attack, which skillfully exploited the early moisture in the pitch.
West Indies were 217 for five with 50 balls remaining when Pollard was caught at long-on off Craig Young for 69, top-edging a pull, but the remaining batsmen failed to make the most of their opportunity.
Brooks was fortunate on 92 when Gareth Delany dropped him at deep square leg off Mark Adair in the 45th over, but he was trapped lbw four balls later in the same over, playing back and across to a well-pitched delivery from the pacer.
The Windies were 238 for six with 31 balls remaining and proceeded to lose their last four wickets for 26 in the span of 13 balls.
Adair was the pick of the Irish bowlers, taking 3-38 from 8.5 overs, fellow pacer Young ended with 3-56 from nine overs, and McBrine finished with 2-52 from eight overs.
The match is the first of three in a series that forms part of the ICC Cricket World Cup Super League that automatically qualifies seven teams to the CWC 2023 India.
West Indies are eighth in the 13-team table on 40 points with four wins out of their nine matches so far, and Ireland are fourth on 50 points with four wins and two no-results out of their 15 matches.
Summarised scores:
West Indies 269 all out off 48.5 overs (Shamarh Brooks 93, Kieron Pollard 69, Shai Hope 29, Odean Smith 18, Nicholas Pooran 13, Jason Holder 13; Mark Adair 3-38, Craig Young 3-56, Andy McBrine 2-52) vs Ireland.
(AR)