Ireland followed up Sunday’s win over Pakistan in the T20I Tri-Nations Series by beating West Indies for the first time in that format in a dramatic finish at Clontarf.
Home captain Orla Prendergast celebrated her birthday with an unbeaten 71 as an Ireland four from the last ball before rain intervened ensured the hosts prevailed by one run on the DLS method.
Prendergast had taken two wickets as West Indies made 141-8 off their 20 overs, with Ireland’s 99-5 off 14.1 overs in reply proving just enough.
After electing to bat first, West Indies lost three wickets in the opening powerplay, but recovered somewhat as Jannillea Glasgow top-scored with 36 off 26 balls.
Ava Canning was the pick of the home bowlers with 2-11 while Prendergast ended with figures of 2-26.
Needing 142 to win, Ireland found themselves two wickets down in the first over but player-of-the-match Prendergast’s contribution, struck off 46 balls, proved decisive.
The Irish skipper hit 11 fours and a six in a 50-minute masterclass, putting together a 57-run partnership with Rebecca Stokell (12), and then a 34-run stand with Louise Little (9*) propelled the home side towards their target.
As rain began to fall, Ireland were still three runs behind on DLS and the umpires persisted with play to see one more ball bowled.
Little swung the bat through the falling rain and edged the ball past the keeper for four to see her side surge past the DLS target.
As the rain began to fall more heavily, the umpires relented and the players left the field and were unable to return.
Ireland are back in action on Thursday against Pakistan at the same venue.
