CRICKET- Ambris’ century spurs Windies to record run chase - by Barbados Today May 11, 2019

DUBLIN, Ireland, CMC – Sunil Ambris scored his maiden One Day International (ODI) century, becoming the first Vincentian to do so for the West Indies, to help propel the regional team to their highest ever successful run chase in ODIs as they claimed victory over Ireland in the Tri-Nation Series here Saturday. 

Ambris cracked 148 from just 136 balls as the visitors overhauled Ireland’s challenging total of 327 for five from their 50 overs, to end on 331 for five off 47.5 overs. 

The West Indies’ previous successful highest run chase in ODIs was 309 against Pakistan in 2017.

His performance overshadowed that of Ireland’s Andy Balbirine, who also scored a fighting century after the home side won the toss and opted to bat first. 

Coincidentally, Ambris who was not named in the Windies’ 15-member squad for the upcoming ICC World Cup, was only promoted to open the batting after John Campbell’s sore back ruled him out.

Ambris together with the in-form Shai Hope, who was chasing a third successive century, put on 84 runs for the first wicket in quick time.

And when Hope lost his wicket to William Rankin to be out for 30, followed soon after by Darren Bravo for just 17, Ambris and Roston Chase’s 128-run stand off 116 balls created the perfect launching pad for the Windies.

The shorter and smaller Ambris was the main aggressor during this stand, while Chase customarily worked the ball through the gaps and was content to rotate the strike.

They both looked unbothered by Ireland’s mostly medium pace attack, but four runs away from a deserved half-century Chase was bowled by left-arm pacer Josh Little.

Ambris’ 169-minute stay at the crease came to an end soon after too, becoming Rankin’s third victim, as the Windies slipped to 252 for four in the 40th over.

But captain Jason Holder who smashed 36 from 24 balls and fellow Barbadian Jonathan Carter who finished unbeaten on 43 from 27 balls, put on 75 runs at over ten runs an over to take West Indies within touching distance of their target.

However, with the scores locked, Holder needlessly gave his wicket away, leaving Carter to finish it off in fine style with a boundary.

Rankin was Ireland’s top bowler ending with figures of 3-65 from his 7.5 overs.

Earlier, Balbirnie had given the home side a fighting chance of winning their first match of the series courtesy of a spectacular knock.

The 28-year-old scored 135 from 124 balls and shared in two major partnerships to help Ireland reach their highest total of the tournament so far.

Following the loss of James McCollum’s wicket early on with the score on 19, he and Paul Stirling added 146 runs in a second-wicket partnership to seize control of the contest.

And even when Stirling was eventually out for a well-played 77 from 98 balls, Balbirnie found another worthy partner in Kevin O’Brien.

The two set about blasting 84 runs between the 34th and 44th overs, which put Ireland in position to post a big total.

Medium pacer Jonathan Carter made the eventual breakthrough, having Balbirnie caught by skipper Jason Holder. He faced 124 balls and struck four sixes and 11 boundaries.

His dismissal didn’t lead to a slow down in the scoring rate, with O’Brien and Mark Adair adding a further 42 runs in four overs.

Adair starred with a cameo unbeaten 25 from 13 balls, striking one huge six and two boundaries, as Ireland collected 27 runs from the final two overs of the innings.

Shannon Gabriel was the most successful West Indies’ bowler, finishing with two wickets for 47 runs.