Evin Lewis Shines As West Indies Dominate Ireland In Third T20I To Seal Series

After enduring persistent rain and two abandoned games that dampened expectations, the third and final T20 International between West Indies and Ireland at the Bready Cricket Club finally delivered the explosive cricket fans had been craving. When the skies cleared, what followed was a brutal masterclass in power-hitting and controlled bowling as the West Indies clinched a thumping 62-run win, sealing the shortened series 1–0.

The victory may have come from a lone completed match, but it was packed with enough fireworks to light up the entire series. Led by a vintage Evin Lewis knock, supported by a solid middle-order blitz and capped by a disciplined bowling display, the Caribbean side left no doubt about their intent and quality, even on foreign soil.

Lewis Lashes, Hope Holds, Carty Clobbers: West Indies’ Batting Carnage

Having been sent in to bat first on a relatively flat surface by Ireland skipper Paul Stirling, West Indies wasted no time launching an all-out assault on the Irish bowlers. The headline act was none other than the veteran opener Evin Lewis, who reminded the world of his match-winning abilities with a breathtaking 91 off just 44 deliveries.

Lewis, who has often been overshadowed in recent years by newer names in West Indies cricket, turned back the clock with a thunderous innings laced with 7 fours and 8 sixes. His calculated aggression and ability to exploit the short boundaries at Bready had the Irish bowlers gasping for answers.

Alongside Lewis was the elegant Shai Hope, who counterbalanced the carnage with graceful stroke play and sound technique. His 51 off 27 balls might not have matched Lewis in brute force, but it was equally critical in maintaining momentum through the middle overs. The duo put on a formidable 102-run partnership for the second wicket, effectively snuffing out any early pressure.

Finishing Fireworks

Once Lewis departed, Keacy Carty and Romario Shepherd took over the finishing duties. Carty’s 49 off just 22 balls was a blistering cameo that ensured the Windies didn’t slow down. His knock featured 4 sixes and 3 boundaries, playing the perfect counterpunch role. Shepherd, ever the aggressive lower-order enforcer, chipped in with a punishing 19 off 6 deliveries, including two massive sixes to cap off the innings.

The final total? A monstrous 256/5 in 20 overs—one of West Indies’ highest T20I totals in recent years and certainly the highest ever T20I total recorded at Bready.

Ireland’s Bowling: Bright Spots in the Storm

The Irish bowling unit, unfortunately, bore the brunt of the West Indian storm. While the likes of Matthew Humphreys stood out—returning with a brilliant 2/16 from 4 overs—others struggled under the weight of pressure and power.

Liam McCarthy, in particular, endured a nightmarish outing, conceding a staggering 81 runs in his 4 overs, the most expensive bowling figure in Ireland’s T20I history. Though he managed to take a wicket, it came at a heavy cost.

Ben White, Mark Adair, and Barry McCarthy also picked up one wicket apiece but failed to stem the flow of boundaries. Ireland’s bowling unit was left chasing shadows as the Windies batters manipulated angles, targeted the short side, and capitalized on anything even remotely loose.

Ireland’s Chase: Grit Over Glamour, But Gap Too Wide

Facing a herculean chase of 257, Ireland needed everything to go right—and quickly. But Akeal Hosein had other plans. The crafty left-arm spinner applied the brakes early with a clever mix of flight, turn, and arm balls, picking up 3 key wickets for just 27 runs in his 4 overs.

He removed opener Andy Balbirnie cheaply and returned to dismiss Lorcan Tucker and Curtis Campher, leaving Ireland reeling in the powerplay. From there, despite some valiant efforts, the hosts never quite caught up with the required run rate.

Top Irish Performances

Ross Adair showed promise with a 36-ball 48, anchoring the innings and attempting to take the game deep.
Harry Tector, ever reliable in the middle overs, crafted a fluent 38 off 25 balls, combining smart placement with occasional power.
Later in the innings, Mark Adair unleashed a late flurry of boundaries, hammering 31 off just 14 balls, including 4 sixes, briefly breathing life into Ireland’s chase.

But it was ultimately too little, too late. Ireland finished at 194/7 in 20 overs, a respectable total under most circumstances—but one that left them 62 runs short in this scenario.

West Indies’ Bowlers: Disciplined and Destructive

The Windies’ bowling effort was marked by both aggression and control. While Hosein was the standout, the rest of the attack offered strong support:

Jason Holder, the experienced campaigner, accounted for 2 wickets and bowled smartly during the death overs, mixing slower balls with yorkers.
Romario Shepherd, though expensive, picked up a crucial wicket and applied pressure during Ireland’s middle-overs rebuild.
Roston Chase, more known for his red-ball discipline, chipped in with a tidy spell, including a wicket to add to his all-round value.

This collective effort ensured that Ireland were always just behind the ask rate and never quite in the contest beyond the halfway mark.

Player of the Match: Evin Lewis – Caribbean Thunder

There was no debate. Evin Lewis, with his thunderous 91 off 44 balls, took home the Player of the Match award. It was not just the number of runs he scored, but how he scored them—fearlessly, cleanly, and decisively—that defined his impact on the match.

His ability to dismantle both pace and spin, his smart targeting of shorter boundaries, and the sheer rhythm of his strokeplay made it a knock to remember. For fans of West Indies cricket, this was a welcome flashback to the destructive Lewis of yesteryear—and perhaps a preview of what’s to come.

Context: A Rain-Marred Tour, But A Statement Made

This short tour to Ireland was meant to be a preparatory series ahead of a busy white-ball calendar for the West Indies, who are building towards major events like the Champions Trophy 2025 and the T20 World Cup 2026.

Unfortunately, the series was heavily affected by the Irish summer. The first two matches were abandoned without a ball bowled, leading to speculation about venue scheduling and the reliability of smaller grounds during this period.

But in the lone game that did go ahead, the West Indies made a powerful statement—about their batting prowess, bowling options, and their bench strength. It also showed that even short series can provide significant insights and momentum heading into larger challenges.

Ireland’s Takeaway: Firepower Needed, Consistency Key

Ireland’s performance had its moments, particularly with the bat in patches and Humphreys’ disciplined spell. However, the glaring issues—especially in death bowling and powerplay pressure—remain. The hosts will need to invest in more aggressive, fearless batting and perhaps revisit bowling strategies against teams with the kind of muscle the West Indies possess.

Additionally, the absence of early breakthroughs and costly overs in the powerplay meant that the game was taken away before they could even settle.

Quotes From the Ground

Evin Lewis, Player of the Match:

“It felt good to get out there and play freely. After all the rain, we wanted to give the fans something to cheer about. Hopefully, we carry this momentum forward.”

Jason Holder, on the team’s approach:

“We kept things simple. We knew the wicket would get better, so it was important to start strong with the bat. Then the bowlers did their job to perfection.”

Paul Stirling, Ireland captain:

“Tough day. Credit to West Indies, they batted brilliantly. We have some positives, but there’s a lot to work on. Hopefully we’ll get more game time in future series.”

What’s Next?

For West Indies, this win will serve as an ideal confidence booster ahead of a competitive calendar including ODI tours of South Africa and England, followed by a long-format home series against Bangladesh.

For Ireland, attention turns toward the Euro T20 Slam qualifiers and developmental series, where they will test combinations, particularly focusing on bowling strategies and top-order aggression.

Final Scorecard Snapshot:

West Indies – 256/5 (20 overs)

Evin Lewis – 91 (44), Shai Hope – 51 (27), Keacy Carty – 49 (22)
M. Humphreys – 2/16 (4), L. McCarthy – 1/81 (4)

Ireland – 194/7 (20 overs)

R. Adair – 48 (36), H. Tector – 38 (25), M. Adair – 31 (14)
Akeal Hosein – 3/27 (4), J. Holder – 2/49 (4), R. Shepherd – 1/30 (3)

Result: West Indies won by 62 runs
Series: West Indies wins the 1-match T20I series 1–0

Though reduced to a solitary contest by rain, the West Indies’ emphatic win over Ireland at Bready reaffirmed their white-ball strength and showcased some vintage Caribbean flair. From Lewis’s return to form, to Hosein’s clinical spell, this match had it all. As both teams move forward with different goals, this fiery finale served as a clear reminder of the thrilling possibilities that T20 cricket holds—even when confined to a single game.

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