West Indies vs Ireland, 2nd T20I, Basseterre: Preview, prediction, likely XIs

After being whitewashed in the ODIs, Ireland stunned West Indies with a 4-run win in the first T20I of the 3-match series, at St George’s. The teams will now play a double-header at Basseterre on January 19 and 20.

Ireland’s win was largely orchestrated by Paul Stirling, who bludgeoned his way to a 47-ball 95 before falling in the 14th over. Stirling added 154 for the first wicket with Kevin O’Brien off just 75 balls. West Indies then clawed back, conceding just 54 more. Dwayne Bravo (4-0-28-2), making a comeback after more than three years, led the choke.

Evin Lewis (53 in 29) and Kieron Pollard (31 in 15) kept West Indies in the hunt, as did Sherfane Rutherford (26 in 13) after them. West Indies needed 16 in 2 overs after Barry McCarthy conceded 27 in the 18th of the innings, but Craig Young conceded 3 and Joshua Little 8 to seal the match.

Despite that, West Indies will take field at Basseterre in both matches at Basseterre. With Bravo set to bat at No. 7, this is a batting line-up to match any other in the world in terms of sheer destructive ability.

Head to head

Following their win at St George’s, the equation between the sides now stands at 2-2.

Key players

Dwayne Bravo (West Indies): Bravo had an excellent comeback, choking the Irish middle order as they looked set for a total in excess of 225. His big sixes, canny bowling, and athleticism are all special, but as we know, DJ Bravo is bigger than the sum of his qualities.

Paul Stirling (Ireland): At St George’s, Stirling demonstrated what the fuss around him is about. His uninhibited hitting (6 fours, 8 sixes in 47 balls) eventually turned out to be the difference between the sides. Remember, he also bowls.

Likely XIs

West Indies: Lendl Simmons, Evin Lewis, Shimron Hetmyer, Kieron Pollard (c), Nicholas Pooran (wk), Sherfane Rutherford, Dwayne Bravo, Hayden Walsh Jr, Khary Pierre, Kesrick Williams, Sheldon Cottrell.

Ireland: Paul Stirling, Kevin O’Brien, Andy Balbirnie (c), Gareth Delany, Harry Tector, Gary Wilson (wk), George Dockrell, Simi Singh, Barry McCarthy, Joshua Little, Craig Young.

Prediction

West Indies to win and level the series.