Last Updated on 16 seconds ago by Charbel Coorey
Ireland Cricket may have just had their greatest weekend. The men’s team sealed a remarkable 2-0 series win over T20 World Cup champions India, while the women’s team achieved their first-ever T20 World Cup win with victory over the West Indies.
A weekend to remember for Ireland Cricket: Monumental wins for men’s and women’s teams
Men’s team beat India 2-0 in stunning series win
On Friday, Ireland comprehensively beat India in the first men’s T20I. After a shaky start, they registered a strong score and then completely dominated a strong Indian batting lineup.
“It’s pretty special thing to beat the world champions at home,” Tucker said, as quoted by cricinfo. “[It is the] first game of the season, T20 cricket, but credit is due to the lads. I think we had two debutantes there who put in absolutely outstanding performances. To all the work that goes on behind the scenes, Cricket Ireland, everyone’s very dedicated, and I think that’s why we like to try and bring these results and support everyone.”
They weren’t done there. Despite missing key players including Josh Little, Mark Adair and Curtis Campher, Ireland won the second T20I by one run courtesy of an outstanding powerplay with the ball.
Indian-born Jai Moondra dismissed star openers Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson each for a golden duck, before dismissing Shreyas Iyer for just 10. It ensured Ireland were playing from in front in defence of 154 and were able to seal victory despite India’s late-order push. “Certainly since I’ve been involved I’m not sure I’ve been involved in a bigger accomplishment,” said Harry Tector after playing his 100th T20I, as quoted by cricinfo.
Women’s team win first-ever T20 World Cup match
On Saturday, the women’s team won their first World Cup match at their 22nd attempt. Orla Prendergast produced an all-round performance to remember, taking 1/29, two catches, and scoring 69 off 44 balls.
Courtesy of a team effort, Ireland restricted West Indies to 128/7 before Prendergast led the way to seal the chase with 11 balls and six wickets to spare.
“What the women achieved yesterday was huge and I think it’s a big monkey off their back,” Tector said.
“I think Orla [Prendergast] is world class. She’s one of the best allrounders in the world. The way she’s played at this World Cup has certainly shown that. The weekend on a whole is just huge.
“You know, you ride that wave of momentum of reporting, and hopefully get onto the front or back pages of major newspapers here would be a big achievement because sometimes you win games and it doesn’t even get reported on. This weekend, the momentum we have is brilliant, and hopefully it does a lot for us going forward in terms of getting more games in our summer and playing in front of home crowds.”
