Russell hands WI 'A' victory

BELFAST, Ireland (CMC):

Andre Russell smashed a whirlwind half-century and returned to wreck Ireland with a six-wicket haul to propel West Indies 'A' to a comfortable 50-run triumph in the first one-day match of a double-header yesterday.

The 22-year-old Jamaican, a late call-up to the side following Nelon Pascal's Test selection, top-scored with a stroked-filled 64 to lift West Indies 'A' to 251 all out after they won the toss and chose to bat first.

Russell rallied the innings with a superb exhibition of hitting, raising 39 for the eighth wicket with Fudadin and another 42 with Tonge for the ninth wicket.

The right-hander blasted seven fours and four sixes from a mere 31 balls and it was his efforts that rallied the Windies to their eventual score before he held out to long on to be the last man out.

Russell then snatched six for 42 to send Ireland tumbling for 201 with 11 balls to spare, as Windies claimed their first win on the tour of Britain.

Russell to the rescue

Playing at the Civil Service Cricket Club in Stormont, West Indies 'A' were rescued by Russell's enterprise and that of Barbadian all-rounder Kevin Stoute, who cracked a handsome 61 in his first game for the team.

Assad Fudadin also hit a patient 50 in a rebuilding effort, while tail-ender Gavin Tonge stroked a cameo 28 from 21 balls at the death to provide the late innings fireworks.

Windies were in strife when seamers Kevin O'Brien (3-43) and Phil Eaglestone (3-48) ripped through the top order to reduce the tourists to 28 for four in the 12th over.

Stoute, who left Barbados last weekend to join the squad, then added a crucial 97 for the fifth wicket with Fudadin to steady the innings.