DUBLIN, Ireland — In a performance that etched his name alongside West Indian cricket royalty, Keacy Carty delivered a mesmerizing 170-run masterclass, propelling West Indies to a crushing 197-run victory over Ireland via the Duckworth/Lewis/Stern method in the final ODI of the three-match series on Sunday.
Carty’s innings—his second consecutive century in as many matches—anchored a massive team total of 385 for seven, the second-highest in West Indies ODI history. Fast bowler Jayden Seales, returning to the XI for the series decider, tore through Ireland’s top order, sealing the victory and levelling the series at 1-1.
A century for the ages: Carty ascends into West Indian lore
Fresh from a 102-run effort in a rain-curtailed second ODI, the 28-year-old Carty unfurled an even grander display in Dublin, joining an elite fraternity that includes Desmond Haynes, Brian Lara, and Shai Hope as the only West Indians to notch back-to-back ODI centuries.
His knock of 170 off 142 deliveries, embellished with 15 boundaries and eight sixes, also saw him become just the 14th West Indian to cross the 150-run mark in a single ODI innings.
“It’s an amazing feeling,” said Carty after the match. “To be mentioned among those names is humbling. I just wanted to bat deep, and it all came together today.”
Hope and Carty rebuild after rocky start
West Indies were again off to a shaky start, losing openers Brandon King and Evin Lewis early to slump to 31 for two. But skipper Shai Hope and Carty steadied the ship with a clinical 137-run third-wicket partnership.
Hope was fluent throughout his 75-run innings, reaching his 27th ODI half-century and becoming the third-fastest West Indian to surpass 5,500 ODI runs. He was eventually dismissed trying to clear the ropes, caught at the boundary off Andy McBrine, after stroking nine fours and two sixes.
Carty cuts loose as Windies surpass 380
Unfazed by the interruptions of rain and the fall of wickets, Carty continued his assault alongside Amir Jangoo, who contributed a quick 22. The pair added 78 runs in 11 overs, building a launchpad for a late-innings onslaught.
Carty reached his century with a signature drive through cover and pushed on to 150 with elegance and power, hammering left-arm spinner George Dockrell for successive sixes and a four.
In the closing stages, Justin Greaves added the finishing fireworks, smashing 50 off just 23 balls, helping West Indies plunder 144 runs in the final 10 overs. Carty’s remarkable innings came to an end when he was bowled by Barry McCarthy, undone by a ball that kept low.
Seales strikes early as Ireland crumble
Chasing a revised target of 363 in 46 overs, Ireland never looked competitive. In his first appearance of the series, Jayden Seales ripped through the top order, removing Andy Balbirnie, Paul Stirling, and Harry Tector, to leave the hosts reeling at 40 for three by the eighth over.
Only Cade Carmichael, with a defiant 48, offered any resistance. However, Ireland’s cause was further weakened by the absence of Jordan Neill and Josh Little, both ruled out after sustaining injuries while fielding.
Seales returned impressive figures of 3 for 26 from 5.5 overs, while the rest of the Windies attack kept up the pressure, dismissing Ireland for 165.
Keacy Carty named Player of the Match and Series
Deservedly, Keacy Carty walked away with both Player of the Match and Player of the Series honors for his back-to-back centuries and his pivotal role in the West Indies’ turnaround.
“I just wanted to keep things simple and play each ball on its merit,” Carty reflected. “It’s a great feeling to contribute to a series-leveling win.”
With the series ending in a 1-1 deadlock, West Indies will take confidence from their resounding victory and the emergence of Carty as a force to be reckoned with in the ODI arena.
