Match Report: West Indies Academy vs Emerging Ireland 1st ODI

West Indies Academy vs Emerging Ireland

1st List A match (50 overs)

Venue: Sir Vivian Richards Stadium

Toss: Emerging Ireland won and batted

Result: Emerging Ireland won by 26 runs

Player of the Match: Murray Commins

Scorecard: click here

An unbeaten hundred from Murray Commins and three-wicket hauls from Scott MacBeth and Gavin Hoey handed Emerging Ireland victory over the home side in the opening game of their three-match series on Friday. Commins, who played his only two Tests earlier this year, carried his bat for 118 not out off 129 balls as the visitors gathered 245 off 49.1 overs after choosing to bat first.

In reply, West Indies Academy looked in a good position for the win when opener Matthew Nandu struck 59 off 99 balls, his partner Kadeem Alleyne hit 42 off 30 balls and number three Leonardo Julien chipped in with 28. However, off-spinner Scott MacBeth (3-33) and leg-spinner Gavin Hoey (3-43) grabbed three wickets apiece to send the home side bowled out for 219 all out in the 42nd over.

Earlier, left-arm spinner Joshua Bishop (4-45) and fast bowler Johann Layne (2-52) cut through the top order with two wickets apiece as Ireland Academy collapsed to 37-4 in the 11th over. Hoey resisted with 25 from 31 balls but Bishop and off-spinner Kevin Wickham (2-51) made key strikes to leave the innings at 123-8 in the 30th over. However, Commins, who hit 14 fours and a six, anchored a 103-run, ninth wicket stand with Tom Mayes, who counter-attacked with two fours and three sixes in 51.

Facing a challenging target, the hosts started brightly as 20-year-old left-hander Nandu stroked three fours, putting on 58 for the first wicket with Alleyne who struck two fours and three sixes. When Alleyne skied a pull at seamer Matthew Foster and was brilliantly taken by Commins running back at mid-wicket at the start of the ninth over, Julien arrived to add a further 59 for the second wicket with Nandu and keep West Indies Academy on course.

However, Julien fell in the 21st over, stumped off MacBeth and this triggered a slide that saw five wickets fall for 35 runs, leaving West Indies Academy on 152-6 at the start of the 28th over. Nandu and Junior Sinclair (28) posted 56 for the seventh wicket to revive their side’s fortunes but once the stand was broken, the hosts lost their last four wickets for 11 runs.

The two teams will meet in the second match on Sunday at Coolidge Cricket Ground. First ball is 9am (8am Jamaica Time).

SQUADS

West Indies Academy: Nyeem Young (captain), Kadeem Alleyne, Ackeem Auguste, Joshua Bishop, Teddy Bishop, Carlon Bowen-Tuckett, McKenny Clarke, Jordan Johnson, Leonardo Julien, Johann Layne, Matthew Nandu, Ashmead Need, Kelvin Pitman, Junior Sinclair, Kevin Wickham

Coaching staff: Rayon Griffith (Head Coach), Jamal Smith (Assistant Coach), Steve Liburd (Assistant Coach)

Emerging Ireland: Stephen Doheny (captain), Cade Carmichael, Murray Commins, Matthew Foster, Mike Frost, Fionn Hand, Gavin Hoey, Matthew Humphreys, Scott Macbeth, Tom Mayes, Liam McCarthy, Adam Rosslee, Tim Tector, Morgan Topping

Coaching staff: Heinrich Malan (Head Coach), Boyd Rankin (Assistant Coach)

FULL TOUR SCHEDULE

17 November: 1st 50-Over match at SVRS

19 November: 2nd 50-Over match at CCG

21 November: 3rd 50-Over match at SVRS

25-28 November: 1st four-day match at CCG

2-5 December: 2nd four-day match at CCG

Catch the Action!

LIVE ball-by-ball action available at: windiescricketyoutube

LIVE scorecard at: windiescricket.com

(CWI)