Ireland Cricket Team vs West Indies Cricket Team Timeline
Table of Contents
Ireland and West Indies have developed an interesting international cricket rivalry across One Day Internationals and T20 cricket. The matchup brings together two teams with very different cricketing histories, but Ireland have repeatedly shown that they can challenge established sides in major tournaments. West Indies, meanwhile, have often relied on explosive batting, aggressive bowling and individual match-winners. Their meetings have included World Cup contests, bilateral series and memorable individual performances. This ireland cricket team vs west indies cricket team timeline covers the major encounters, tournament meetings, important milestones, historic victories, recent matches and performances that have shaped the rivalry. It also explains why several Ireland-West Indies games have become important moments in Ireland’s rise on the international stage.
Latest Match Scorecard Table
Innings Breakdown
| Phase | Team | Score | Top Performers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Innings | West Indies | 256/5 (20 Overs) | Evin Lewis: 91 (44) Shai Hope: 51 (27) Matthew Humphreys: 2/16 (4) |
| 2nd Innings | Ireland | 194/7 (20 Overs) | Ross Adair: 48 (36) Mark Adair: 31 (14) Akeal Hosein: 3/27 (4) |
Top 5 Highest Batting Innings
| Rank | Batter | Team | Runs | Balls | Match Date | Match Context |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | John Campbell | West Indies | 179 | 137 | May 05, 2019 | Part of a historic 365-run opening stand. |
| 2 | Keacy Carty | West Indies | 170 | 142 | May 25, 2025 | Blazed 4 sixes in the 3rd ODI tour decider. |
| 3 | Shai Hope | West Indies | 170 | 152 | May 05, 2019 | Shared the record-breaking Dublin opening stand. |
| 4 | Sunil Ambris | West Indies | 148 | 126 | May 11, 2019 | Led a successful 328-run chase in Malahide. |
| 5 | Andrew Balbirnie | Ireland | 135 | 124 | May 11, 2019 | Ireland’s highest individual score against WI. |
Biggest Wins and Closest Matches
One Day Internationals (ODIs)
| Team | Margin | Date | Venue | Match Context |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Indies | Won by 197 runs | May 25, 2025 | Dublin | Keacy Carty’s 170 guided WI to 385/7. |
| West Indies | Won by 196 runs | May 05, 2019 | Dublin | Built on a world-record 365-run opening stand. |
| Ireland | Won by 124 runs | May 21, 2025 | Dublin | Ireland’s biggest run-victory over a Full Member. |
T20 Internationals (T20Is)
| Team | Margin | Date | Venue | Match Context |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Indies | Won by 70 runs | Apr 30, 2010 | Providence | Bowled Ireland out for just 68 runs at the T20 World Cup. |
| West Indies | Won by 9 wickets | Jan 19, 2020 | St. Kitts | Chased down Ireland’s target in exactly 11 overs. |
| Ireland | Won by 9 wickets | Oct 21, 2022 | Hobart | Paul Stirling’s 66* knocked WI out of the T20 World Cup. |
Format-by-Format Head-to-Head Record
| Format | Total Matches | 🇮🇪 Ireland Wins | West Indies Wins | Tie / No Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| One Day Internationals (ODIs) | 16 | 3 | 11 | 2 (No Result) |
| T20 Internationals (T20Is) | 8 | 1 | 5 | 2 (No Result) |
| All International Formats | 24 | 4 | 16 | 4 |
ICC Tournament Head-to-Head Timeline
While the West Indies leads the overall bilateral count, the two teams have a fiercely competitive relationship on the grand global stage:
- 2010 T20 World Cup (Providence): West Indies won by 70 runs. Darren Sammy’s clinical bowling bundled Ireland out for just 68.
- 2011 ODI World Cup (Mohali): West Indies won by 44 runs. Devin Smith’s 107 pushed the West Indies past a fighting Irish lineup.
- 2015 ODI World Cup (Nelson): Ireland won by 4 wickets. Paul Stirling’s brilliant 92 anchored a historic 304-run chase.
- 2022 T20 World Cup (Hobart): Ireland won by 9 wickets. Gareth Delany’s 3/16 restricted the West Indies, officially knocking them out of the tournament.
2011 World Cup Meeting
Four years later, the teams met again at the 2011 Cricket World Cup in India.
West Indies won the group-stage contest, but the game was important because Ireland were becoming increasingly comfortable against full-member nations. Their ability to compete in World Cup cricket was no longer considered a one-off achievement.
By this stage, Ireland had developed a reputation for aggressive batting and disciplined seam bowling. West Indies still possessed the power and depth that made them difficult opponents, particularly when their top-order hitters got established.
Memorable Encounters
The 2015 World Cup Upset
The 2015 meeting remains one of the most important matches in the history of the rivalry.
West Indies had crossed the 300-run mark, a total that traditionally placed enormous pressure on a chasing side. Ireland refused to retreat into a defensive approach.
Stirling attacked during the powerplay, Joyce maintained the scoring rate through the middle overs, and O’Brien provided the finishing touch.
Ireland’s chase showed that the team could combine calculated batting with controlled aggression. The four-wicket win also became a significant World Cup upset.
Ireland’s 2020 ODI Victory
Ireland again produced a notable result when the teams met in Bridgetown in January 2020.
West Indies scored 229/9 in the first innings. Ireland then chased the target successfully, reaching 230/3 with 16 balls remaining.
Paul Stirling played another important innings, scoring 89. Andy Balbirnie contributed 71, and the pair controlled the chase after Ireland had lost an early wicket.
The result gave Ireland a series victory and reinforced their ability to compete with West Indies in ODI cricket.
| Year | Match/Tournament | Venue | Result | Memorable Moment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | ICC Cricket World Cup | Jamaica | West Indies won | First major World Cup meeting between the teams |
| 2011 | ICC Cricket World Cup | India | West Indies won | West Indies controlled the match with stronger all-round performance |
| 2015 | ICC Cricket World Cup | Nelson | Ireland won by 4 wickets | Ireland chased 305, led by Paul Stirling and Niall O’Brien |
| 2020 | ODI Series | Bridgetown | Ireland won | Ireland chased 230 successfully to secure an important ODI victory |
Tournament Meetings
World Cups have played an important role in the history of this matchup.
The 2007 and 2011 Cricket World Cup meetings were opportunities for Ireland to test themselves against one of the traditional powers of international cricket. The 2015 contest changed the narrative when Ireland successfully chased 305.
The teams later met at the 2022 T20 World Cup, where West Indies defeated Ireland in Hobart. That match was particularly significant because it came during the qualifying stage and determined which side would continue in the tournament.
The 2024 T20 World Cup produced another meeting, this time during the Super 8 stage. West Indies won the contest as they progressed deeper into the competition.
Why the 2015 Match Changed the Rivalry
The 2015 World Cup victory became a reference point whenever Ireland faced another major cricket nation.
Ireland showed that a team outside the traditional Test-playing elite could chase a 300-plus total under World Cup pressure. The performance also highlighted the value of experienced players such as Stirling, Joyce and O’Brien.
For West Indies, the defeat was a reminder that a strong first-innings total does not guarantee victory in modern ODI cricket.
The match also helped shape Ireland’s reputation as a dangerous limited-overs opponent capable of producing results against higher-profile teams.
| Aspect | Before 2015 | 2015 Match | Impact on Rivalry | Long-Term Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ireland’s Reputation | Emerging international side | Chased 305 against West Indies | Increased respect for Ireland | Strengthened Ireland’s reputation in ODI cricket |
| Batting Confidence | Relied on individual contributions | Stirling, Joyce and O’Brien led the chase | Showed Ireland’s batting depth | Became a model for future big chases |
| World Cup Impact | Limited major wins | Won by 4 wickets | Created a major World Cup upset | Became a landmark Irish cricket victory |
| West Indies’ Challenge | Established cricketing power | Lost despite scoring 304/7 | Highlighted Ireland’s ability to compete | Added greater significance to future meetings |
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Ireland and West Indies first meet in a major World Cup?
Ireland and West Indies met during the 2007 Cricket World Cup in Jamaica. West Indies won the match, but the fixture helped establish Ireland as a team capable of competing on the international stage.
What is Ireland’s most famous win against West Indies?
Ireland’s four-wicket victory at the 2015 Cricket World Cup is widely remembered as the standout result. Ireland successfully chased 305, reaching 307/6 with four balls remaining.
Who scored the most important runs for Ireland in the 2015 World Cup match?
Paul Stirling scored 92 and Ed Joyce made 84, providing the foundation for the chase. Niall O’Brien then finished the innings with an unbeaten 79.
Has Ireland won an ODI series against West Indies?
Yes. Ireland won the three-match ODI series in the Caribbean in January 2020. Ireland won two matches, while West Indies won one.
When did Ireland and West Indies last meet at a T20 World Cup?
They met at the 2024 T20 World Cup in Guyana during the Super 8 stage. West Indies won the contest, continuing their strong record in the more recent T20 meetings.
Conclusion
The history between Ireland and West Indies combines major tournament battles, memorable upsets and contrasting cricket styles. West Indies have produced several important victories, particularly in T20 cricket, but Ireland’s 2015 World Cup chase remains the defining moment of the rivalry. Ireland’s 2020 ODI series win added another important chapter, proving that their success was not limited to one famous tournament result. From Paul Stirling’s aggressive batting to West Indies’ explosive power game, the matchup has repeatedly produced compelling cricket. As both teams continue developing their limited-overs squads, future meetings will add new results, records and performances to an already interesting international timeline.
