BREADY, Ireland — Evin Lewis and captain Shai Hope unleashed a breathtaking exhibition of power-hitting to propel the West Indies to a commanding 62-run victory over Ireland in the third and final T20 International at the Bready Cricket Club on Sunday.
The dominant win sealed a 1-0 series triumph for the visitors, after the first two encounters were washed out by rain.
Sent in to bat on a dry surface, the Windies responded with a scorcher of an innings — amassing a monumental 256 for five, their second-highest T20I total in history. The foundation was laid by an electrifying 122-run opening stand in just 10 overs between Lewis and Hope, who punished the Irish attack with merciless precision.
Hope, leading from the front after being promoted to opener, wasted no time asserting himself. The elegant right-hander lashed pacer Ben McCarthy for two crisp boundaries and a soaring six in the third over. Meanwhile, Lewis took his time settling but soon exploded, clobbering Mark Adair for a pair of towering sixes that set the tone for his innings.
Lewis narrowly misses landmark century
The left-handed Lewis looked poised to reach his third T20I century, but fell agonizingly short, skying a delivery from spinner Matthew Humphreys into the safe hands of Paul Stirling for 91. His 48-ball blitz included eight sixes and seven fours, and was the centerpiece of an innings that left the hosts reeling.
His departure at 152 for three in the 13th over only made way for more carnage.
Hope’s contribution was no less electric — a 27-ball 51 featuring four sixes and four boundaries. His departure, after attempting one big shot too many, came just after reaching his milestone with a straight six off Ben White.
Debutant Carty makes statement; Shepherd finishes with a flourish
The late innings fireworks came courtesy of Keacy Carty, making his T20I debut, who struck an unbeaten 49 from just 22 balls, laced with four sixes and four fours. He combined with Romario Shepherd (19 not out off six balls) in a punishing unbroken 37-run stand from only nine deliveries, lifting the Windies to a towering total.
Ireland’s bowling was put to the sword, particularly debutant Liam McCarthy, whose figures of 0-81 in four overs etched an unwanted record in Irish T20I history. Humphreys, the bright spot, finished with an impressive 2-16.
Irish fightback fizzles after bright start
In reply, Ireland showed promise early, with captain Paul Stirling crashing three boundaries off Akeal Hosein’s opening over. However, the veteran fell to Jason Holder in the next, nicking to slip, and the momentum quickly shifted.
Ross Adair (48 off 36) and Harry Tector (38 off 25) provided a spark with a 101-run partnership that raised Irish hopes. But when Roston Chase trapped Tector leg-before, the wheels came off. Ireland crumbled, losing three wickets for just two runs — a collapse from which they never recovered.
Mark Adair’s cameo of 31 off 14 offered brief entertainment, but it was too little, too late. Ireland stumbled to 194 for seven, a valiant but insufficient response.
Hosein and Holder lead bowling charge
Akeal Hosein led the West Indian bowling effort with 3-27, using flight and guile to stifle the middle overs, while Holder chipped in with 2-49. Chase’s economical spell turned the tide during the Irish chase, while Shepherd and Joseph applied the finishing touches.
For the West Indies, this victory represents more than just a series win — it is a timely morale boost ahead of more challenging contests to come. With Lewis back in form, Hope embracing his leadership role, and new blood like Carty stepping up, the Caribbean side appears to be finding its rhythm at just the right moment.
