Ireland beat West Indies in great start to Cricket World Cup

Brilliant batting display helps Ireland chase down huge target to win by four wickets

Ireland's four-wicket victory over West Indies in their opening 2015 World Cup clash was not an 'upset', according to their captain. Video: Reuters

Ireland yet again took the World Cup by storm as a brilliant batting display secured a four-wicket victory over the West Indies in Nelson, New Zealand on Monday.

Set a formidable target of 305 after letting their opponents break free from an early stranglehold, Ireland showed the strength of their batting line-up as Paul Stirling (92), Ed Joyce (84) and Niall O'Brien, with an undefeated 79, got Ireland home with 25 balls to spare.

Just like in Bangalore four years ago, Ireland chased down a total of over 300 and yet again it was John Mooney that hit the winning runs after Ireland suffered a little wobble in the sight of the finishing line.

Ireland now own three of the six 300-plus run chases in World Cup history after they also chased down a huge score to beat the Netherlands in Kolkata in 2011.

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Paul Stirling scored a century that day at Eden Gardens and the Middlesex opener was again key to the chase against the Windies, with his knock of 92 coming off 84 balls.

Joyce took advantage of the short boundaries at the Saxton Oval to make his 84 runs off 67 balls, while Niall O’Brien was coolness personified in bringing Ireland home, his unbeaten 79 coming off just 60 balls.

Having won the toss and inserted the West Indies, Ireland then reduced their opponents to 87 for five in the 24th over, with left-arm spinner George Dockrell taking three wickets.

A knock of 102 from Lendl Simmons, a second cousin of Ireland coach Phil Simmons, helped rescue the Windies' innings and he put on 154 for the sixth wicket with Darren Sammy to help them finish on 304 for seven from their 50 overs.

Ireland will now target victory over fellow Associate side UAE in Brisbane next week as they bid to make the quarter-finals.