Ireland Women continued their impressive run in the Women’s Tri-Series in Ireland 2026, clinching a nail-biting one-run victory over West Indies Women via the DLS method in the fourth match of the tournament. A superb all-round display led by Orla Prendergast helped the hosts overcome a strong challenge from the Caribbean side in a rain-affected encounter that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
Ireland restrict West Indies to 148/8
After being asked to bat first, West Indies Women posted a competitive total of 148/8 from their 20 overs. The innings was anchored by Jannillea Glasgow, who top-scored with a valuable 36 runs and provided stability in the middle order.
However, Ireland’s bowlers ensured that the visitors never gained complete control. Ava Canning delivered an economical spell, finishing with excellent figures of 2/11, while Prendergast once again showcased her versatility by claiming 2/26. The Irish attack regularly picked up wickets at crucial moments, preventing West Indies from building the momentum needed for a much bigger total.
Although several West Indies batters made useful contributions, none were able to convert their starts into a match-defining innings. As a result, the visitors had to settle for a score that appeared competitive but not out of reach on a batting-friendly surface.
Orla Prendergast leads Ireland’s chase
Ireland’s reply got off to a confident start, with Prendergast taking charge of the chase from the outset. The all-rounder played one of the finest knocks of the tournament so far, smashing 71 runs from just 46 deliveries. Her innings combined aggression with composure and kept Ireland ahead of the required rate throughout the pursuit.
Prendergast found boundaries regularly and put pressure on the West Indies bowlers, ensuring that Ireland remained firmly in control despite the loss of a few wickets at the other end.
West Indies fought back through Shawnisha Hector, who claimed 2/21 and helped create some late tension. However, Ireland’s strong position during the chase ultimately proved decisive.
Rain interruption decides contest
With Ireland at 99/5 after 14.1 overs, rain interrupted play and prevented any further action. The match was subsequently decided using the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method. When calculations were completed, Ireland were found to be one run ahead of the revised target, handing the hosts a dramatic victory. The narrow margin reflected just how closely contested the encounter had been.
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
