Lewis, Joseph star for Windies

Trinidadian Evin Lewis came agonizingly close to scoring his third One-Day International century. However, his unbeaten 99 carried the West Indies to a five-wicket win over Ireland in the opening Day/Night contest at Kensington Oval in Barbados.

The left-hander smashed 13 fours and two sixes off exactly 99 balls as the Windies, chasing 180 for victory, posted 184 for 5 off 33.2 overs.

Lewis batted through the innings, as he first shared in a 71 run second-wicket partnership with Brandon King, who made 20 and then he and Roston Chase, 19 put on 48 for the fifth wicket to see the home team claim their first victory of the New Year and take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

The Windies, as was customary in the past, made heavy work of the modest total, as they lost ­wickets at crucial intervals.

Shai Hope was the first to go with the score on 27, as he skied one off Barry McCarthy in the sixth over for 13.

Shimron Hetmyer got two early boundaries. However, he attempted an audacious shot and was virtually caught on the pitch by wicket-keeper Lurcan Tucker of spinner Simi Singh for 8, to leave the hosts on 112 for 3 in the 21st over.

Another of the Windies starlet, Nicholas Pooran, also came in and looked in good nick, as he took 14 runs off Andy Mcbrine’s fourth over, including a huge six, which slammed on to the roof of the Kensington Oval.

Shortly after, McBrine would have his revenge, as he had Pooran caught at point for 17.

CLOSE CALL

When Roston Chase was undone by a beauty from Boyd Rankine to be caught behind, the Windies needed just two runs for victory, and it was fitting that Lewis would hit the winning runs, as his launch over extra cover came agonisingly close to going all the way, which would have brought up his century. In the end, the ball would go for a four and Lewis was left unbeaten on 99.

Earlier, pacer Alzarri Joseph bagged 4 for 32 from 10 overs, as the Irish batters succumbed to the pace and accuracy of the Windies quicks, which stifled their innings after they won the toss and chose to bat. Sheldon Cottrell also got in on the act, as he snared two Irish wickets for 39 runs in nine overs.

Leg-spinner Hayden Walsh Jr also made his presence felt, as he too grabbed two wickets for 30 runs in 10 overs. There was a wicket apiece for Keemo Paul and Roston Chase.

Wicket-keeper Lorcan Tucker top-scored with 31 from 68 balls with Mark Adair weighing in with 29 from 34 balls towards the back end of the innings.

The teams will next face each other tomorrow in the second Day/Night match.