West Indies beat Ireland by 44 runs

Devon Smith scored a career-best 107 and Kieron Pollard smashed 94 off 55 balls as West Indies beat Ireland by 44 runs in their Group-B, World Cup match at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali, India today.



It was West Indies third victory from four games.



West Indies were labouring on 142 for 3 from 35 overs before Pollard smashed five sixes to lift them to 275 all out off their allotted 50 overs.



Ed Joyce and Gary Wilson kept Ireland on target for a win with a stand of 91.



However, Joyce's dismissal for 84 sparked a collapse from 177 for 3 to 231 all out in 49 overs with left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn taking four wickets for 53 runs and captain Darren Sammy getting three for 31.



Wilson was dismissed for 61.



The defeat leaves Ireland needing to beat South Africa on Tuesday and the Netherlands next Friday to stand any chance of reaching the quarterfinals.



West Indies were without Chris Gayle, who was ruled out on the morning of the match with an abdominal strain.



Chanderpaul who was asked to open scored 35 off 62 balls. He and Smith used up 24.2 overs in an 89-run opening partnership.



However, a double strike from Kevin O'Brien then saw off Chanderpaul and new man Darren Bravo (nought) going in quick succession in the 25th over.



Ramnaresh Sarwan 10 went cheaply but Smith and Pollard took the battle to the opposition with their blistering stand, which helped the Windies regain momentum.



Meanwhile, England suffered a shock two-wicket defeat against co-host Bangladesh in Chittagong and will almost certainly need to beat the West Indies in their final Group-B match on Thursday to avoid another early World Cup exit.



Set a victory target of 226, Bangladesh reached 227 for eight with six balls remaining with Imrul Kayes leading the way with a top score of 60 from 100 deliveries.



Ajmal Shahzad was the most successful bowler for England with three for 43, while Graeme Swann ended with two for 42.



Earlier, Naeem Islam, Abdur Razzak and Shakib Al Hasan took two wickets apiece to restrict England to 225 off 49.4 overs.



Jonathan Trott 67 and Eoin Morgan 63 scored most of the runs for England.



The tournament continues tomorrow with a Group-B match between India and South Africa at Nagpur in India.