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West Indies under fire over 'awful' scenes in T20 World Cup shocker

sam goodwin
Sports Editor
·4-min read
The West Indies, pictured here after crashing out of the T20 World Cup at the hands of Ireland.
The West Indies crashed out of the T20 World Cup at the hands of Ireland. Image: Getty

The West Indies have been savaged around the cricket world after failing to advance to the Super 12 stage of the T20 World Cup in Australia.

The two-time champions crashed out of the World Cup before the 12-team main event after being humbled by Ireland in Hobart on Friday.

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With a spot in the Super 12 stage up for grabs for the winner, Ireland triumphed by nine wickets on the back of a brutal opening stand from Andy Balbirnie and Paul Stirling to progress to the next stage.

Ireland chased down the Windies' total of 5-146 with 15 balls to spare, ending the group stage with two wins from three matches.

It marks a staggering fall from grace for the West Indies - the only side to have won the T20 World Cup on two occasions (2012 and 2016).

The former superpowers of world cricket were upset by Scotland on Monday, but kept their hopes alive by beating Zimbabwe in their next match.

However their loss to Ireland has condemned them to the embarrassing fate of being knocked out before the Super 12 stage.

"We just didn't turn up. We started well with the bat but just didn't continue. We were outplayed in all departments," West Indies coach Phil Simmons said.

"We haven't been playing good enough cricket to be there (in the Super 12). We have the capabilities, we just haven't been putting it together.

"All the batters would be disappointed in what they've produced."

Fans and commentators were quick to condemn the Windies over their 'awful' display.

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Balbirnie and Stirling got Ireland's chase off to a dream start with a partnership of 73 from 45 balls, the highest opening stand of the tournament so far.

Balbirnie (37 from 23 balls) fell in the eighth over, while Stirling finished unbeaten on 66 from 48.

Stirling combined for a 77-run stand with Lorcan Tucker (45 not out), who struck a boundary through the covers to seal the win.

It is the first time Ireland have qualified for the main stage of a Twenty20 World Cup since their debut in 2009.

Earlier, the West Indies' recent struggles against spin continued after they won the toss and elected to bat.

Brandon King top-scored with an unbeaten 62 from 48 deliveries, while some lusty blows from Odean Smith (19 not out from 12) provided a late boost.

Irish players, pictured here celebrating after beating the West Indies at the T20 World Cup.
Irish players celebrate after beating the West Indies at the T20 World Cup. (Photo by Steve Bell - ICC/ICC via Getty Images)

Irish leg-spinner Gareth Delany starred with a career-best 3-16, nabbing his wickets in the middle-to-late overs.

Ireland lost their opening Group B match against Zimbabwe but rebounded with a win over Scotland.

"To pull out two performances ... when it really counts, I'm very proud of the way everyone has gone about it," Balbirnie said.

"The crowd were pretty amazing, albeit it was mostly our parents and wives and girlfriends. It was a pretty special day to be an Irish cricketer."

Meanwhile, Zimbabwe have sealed their place among the remaining 12 teams after holding their nerve to topple Scotland in a low-scoring encounter.

The two countries were vying for the last spot in the Super 12 on Friday night in Hobart, with Zimbabwe chasing down Scotland's 6-132 with nine balls to spare and five wickets in hand.

It is the first time in six attempts that the African nation has made it past the initial group stage of a T20 World Cup.

with AAP

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