Bristol, June 27 (IANS) Ireland produced a disciplined bowling performance, striking at regular intervals to restrict West Indies to 128/7 in 20 overs in their final Group Stage match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 at the County Ground in Bristol on Saturday.
After electing to bowl first, Ireland made an early breakthrough as Aimee Maguire dismissed opener Qiana Joseph for 8. The left-handed batter attempted an attacking shot but failed to clear the infield, departing after hitting one boundary.
West Indies skipper Hayley Matthews responded positively, driving two elegant boundaries in the following over to settle the innings. However, Ireland continued to chip away as Arlene Kelly recovered well after an expensive start to remove Shemaine Campbell, leaving the Caribbean side under pressure inside the Power-play.
With two early wickets down, Matthews and the experienced Stafanie Taylor looked to rebuild cautiously. The pair relied mainly on singles and doubles against a disciplined Irish attack, managing only 40 runs in the first six overs.
Matthews briefly looked to accelerate with a boundary in the eighth over but failed to convert her start. She was caught at square leg by Rebecca Stokell off Cara Murray for 22 from 25 deliveries, an innings that included three fours.
Taylor and Deandra Dottin then attempted to revive the innings but found boundaries difficult to come by as Ireland’s spinners maintained tight lines and lengths. At the halfway stage, the West Indies had reached only 54/3.
The fourth-wicket partnership began to gather momentum before Ireland struck again. Aimee Maguire trapped Taylor in front after a scratchy 16 off 26 balls, further denting West Indies’ hopes of posting a competitive total.
Chinelle Henry walked in with positive intent and immediately put pressure back on the bowlers, striking a boundary off just her third delivery. While Henry looked for scoring opportunities, Dottin rotated the strike to keep the scoreboard moving.
Just as the pair threatened to accelerate, Jane Maguire produced another crucial breakthrough by dismissing Dottin for 21 off 28 balls, with Orla Prendergast completing a comfortable catch. Dottin’s knock featured just one boundary.
Ireland tightened their grip further in the 17th over when Cara Murray dismissed Jahzara Claxton, reducing West Indies to 101/6 with only three overs remaining.
Henry continued to fight till the end, finding the boundary three times during her unbeaten 27 off 21 deliveries to ensure West Indies crossed the 125-run mark. Ashmini Munisar also chipped in with useful late runs as the Caribbean side closed on 128/7.
Aimee Maguire and Cara Murray starred with the ball for Ireland, claiming two wickets each, while Arlene Kelly and Jane Maguire picked up one apiece in an impressive all-round bowling display.
Brief scores:
West Indies 128/7 in 20 overs (Chinelle Henry 27*, Hayley Matthews 22, Deandra Dottin 21; Cara Murray 2-13, Aimee Maguire 2-22) against Ireland.
–IANS
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