West Indies defeat Ireland women by 5 wickets

Ireland lost their opening ODI against West Indies at Rathmines by 5 wickets, in a rain affected encounter.

In a 46 overs game, Ireland batted just 39.1 overs, with Nicky Coffey top scoring with 32 from 61 deliveries. The only other players to reach double figures were Cecelia Joyce (18) and her twin sister Isobel Joyce (11).

The Irish total of 123 was helped by 36 extras - 32 of which were wides. When the West Indies bowlers did get it right, they proved more than useful, and backed up by some athletic fielding and catching, they made the Irish work hard for their runs.

Best with the ball for the Windies were Small (3-27), Selman (2-19), and King (2-20).

Ireland got off to a dream start, as the new ball pairing of Marianne Herbet and Isobel Joyce both claimed two wickets to reduce the visitors to a precarious 31 for 4, including the prized wicket of skipper Nadine George.

Rain broke the Irish momentum, and a Duckworth Lewis revised target of 90 from 20 overs proved no obstacle. Dottin (33*), and King (20*) secured the 5 wicket win with 2.5 overs to spare.