Twitter Reactions: Ireland choke in the final stages as West Indies seal the series after a dramatic win

The second ODI between West Indies and Ireland was one heck of a game. Just like a pendulum, fortunes kept swinging right through. In the end, it was the hosts who sealed it and prevented a huge upset. They had the luck in their favour and with nerves of steel, they helped themselves take 2-0 lead in the series. The Irish should have won this game but one decision from the third umpire didn’t go in their favour.

After choosing to bat first, Paul Stirling provided Ireland with a good start even though he lost a couple of partners early. There was a brief partnership between him and the former skipper William Porterfield who mustered 29 off 46 balls. Stirling was the fourth man to fall in the innings. But he did his part by scoring 63 off 79 balls.

Kevin O’Brien made a good contribution of 31 off 26 deliveries while Simi Singh scored 34 runs at a strike rate of 68. Small contributions from the lower order batsmen helped them get to 237/9 in 50 overs. Alzarri Joseph was the star again with the ball for the Men in Maroon as he took four wickets for just 32 runs in his 10 overs.

Hayden Walsh plays a gem of a knock under extreme pressure

In the chase, the Carribeans were reeling at 24/3 and they could only score 33 runs in the first 10 overs. After biding his time in the middle, Shai Hope got out for 25 runs (54 balls). Yet, a good partnership between Nicholas Pooran and Kieron Pollard kept them in command. While the former scored 52 off 44 balls, the skipper raced his way to 40 from 30 deliveries. The troubles though, began when these two got out in consecutive overs.

At 148/7, it seemed as if there wasn’t a way for the West Indies to get over the line. However, Hayden Walsh took the onus upon himself and played a defining knock. Along with Khary Pierre (18 runs), he pushed the score to 200. Then, there was another 32-run partnership with Alzarri Joseph. Just when six more runs were required, the pacer fell after scoring 16.

Pressure built up in the last over when 5 runs were required with one wicket to spare. On the third ball of this over, there seemed as if there was a run-out. It appeared as if Ireland won the game but the third umpire gave the decision in favour of the hosts due to inconclusive evidence. On the penultimate delivery, Sheldon Cottrell wrapped things up with a six. Hayden Walsh remained unbeaten on 46 off 67 balls.

Here is how Twitterati reacted to this fabulous game:

One of the craziest finishes ever during #WIvIRE

With West Indies needing 4 off 4 with one wicket remaining, Ireland looked to have won it, however the third umpire deemed that Adair broke the stumps after the ball left his hands pic.twitter.com/pzdirJ4g69

— Nathan Williamson (@NathW1997) January 10, 2020

Next ball, Cottrell gets abandoned running for a second and slips

But once again, Ireland throw the game away, with a poor throw and fumble allowing him to get back safely #WIvIRE pic.twitter.com/eGPNtdym0T

— Nathan Williamson (@NathW1997) January 10, 2020

Cottrell then finishes the game off with a six, gifting West Indies the one wicket win

Cricket is the gift that keeps on giving #WIvIRE pic.twitter.com/npis8kmh0T

— Nathan Williamson (@NathW1997) January 10, 2020

Alzarri Joseph in the first ODI v Ireland: 4/32
Alzarri Joseph in the second ODI v Ireland: 4/32

How's that for consistency?#WIvIRE pic.twitter.com/VKQmoNfmoj

— ICC (@ICC) January 9, 2020

That game would have been great at a World Cup I reckon #WIvIRE

— Daniel Beswick (@DGBeswick1) January 10, 2020

👏👏👏 West Indies, but 👏👏👏 every player on both teams. 100 overs of cricket came down to that. #WIvIRE ☘️🏏 pic.twitter.com/KtNENEdnHY

— Cricket Ireland (@Irelandcricket) January 10, 2020

Story of Sheldon Cottrell in last one year:

Return to the side during Eng series.
Highest wicket-taker for WI in World Cup
Becoming the leader of the WI bowling attack.
Took Kohli's few times.
IPL contract.
Winning six against IRE.

More than a nice guy, cool, calm.#WIvIRE

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 10, 2020

Sheldon Cottrell is the first No.11 batsman in the history of ODI cricket to finish a chase by hitting a SIX. #WIvIRE

— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) January 10, 2020

What a call for the third umpire to make in such a close game.

Think it's just not out. Bails not broken when hand was on ball.#WIvIRE #WIvsIRE pic.twitter.com/8uUNGsNudy

— CricBlog (@cric_blog) January 10, 2020

The rise of Sheldon Cottrell in the last year or so has been a joy to behold. He's one of the world's most likeable cricketers. With the ball he's always attacking and looking for wickets, he's a gun fielder & now a heroic number eleven. #WIvIRE

— Freddie Wilde (@fwildecricket) January 10, 2020

Bail Removed, Ball Touching Stump, hand touching ball. How is it not out???@ICC @GardaTraffic #WIvIRE pic.twitter.com/84QJcRTyhs

— Derek Goulding (@derekgoulding) January 10, 2020

ICC's decision of a 10-team WC 2019 is still stupid in 2020. #WIvIRE

— Manya (@CSKian716) January 10, 2020

First ODI series win for West Indies at home since beating Bangladesh 3-0 in 2014.

The is also the first time in nearly four years that West Indies won back to back ODIs at home. #WIvIRE

— Sampath Bandarupalli (@SampathStats) January 10, 2020

Inside out over extra for 6 to win the game. You have an all rounder for the season guys @lionsdenkxip @SaluteCotterell

— Niall John O Brien (@niallnobiobrien) January 10, 2020

Wow ☺️ https://t.co/PSrE5YFcty

— Sheldon Cotterell (@SaluteCotterell) January 10, 2020

That was a tense finish. The value of bowlers taking their batting seriously was shown up at Kensingnton Oval tonight. @Irelandcricket were courageous and committed. Victory was in their hands twice. Congrats on another series victory for @windiescricket .

— Ian bishop (@irbishi) January 10, 2020