Sheldon Cottrell six seals one-wicket win for Windies against Ireland in 2nd ODI

Sheldon Cottrell blasted a six off penultimate ball to give West Indies a thrilling one-wicket victory over Ireland in second one-day international at Kensington Oval on Thursday. Cottrell, best kwn for his fast bowling where wickets are celebrated with a flamboyant military salute, carted Mark Adair over cover for winning runs as home side lived on ir nerves to finish on 242-9.

Hayden Walsh- team's saviour

Victory gave West Indies a 2-0 lead in three-game series after winning opener at same ground on Tuesday by five wickets. Despite Cottrell's headline-stealing flourish, it was fellow tail-ender Hayden Walsh who was his team's saviour. In just his seventh one-dayer, Walsh, who started his international career last year playing for United States, finished undefeated on 46.

"We are relieved about win, we all put in effort," said West Indies man of match Alzarri Joseph who took four wickets for second game in a row as well as hitting a valuable 16 runs in a ninth-wicket stand with Walsh. "We wanted to bat sensibly and get to score. " win means a lot to everyone, but it's t finished, we have one game to go." West Indies had been cruising at 140-3 at one st in pursuit of a 238-run target. However, a brief rain delay played havoc with ir composure and three quick wickets fell for just eight runs.

Pollard played a captain's role

Nicholas Pooran (52) and skipper Kieron Pollard (40) were dismissed without adding to ir scores following interruption having put on 64 for fourth wicket. Pooran made his runs off 44 balls with six fours as highly-rated left-hander completed a sixth ODI half-century. He was clean-bowled by off-spinner Simi Singh with score on 140. Pollard played a captain's role, making 40 off 32 balls with two boundaries and four giant sixes.

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32-year-old fell to a fine caught-and-bowled by Barry McCarthy for addition of two furr runs. Khary Pierre (18), in only his third ODI, helped Walsh steady ship in a 52-run partnership for eighth wicket. Earlier, opening batsman Paul Stirling top-scored with 63 as Ireland put up a challenging 237-9 off 50 overs on a wearing pitch. Stirling hit seven boundaries and one six as he claimed his 24th ODI half-century.

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Pace bowler Joseph finished with 4-32, identical figures from first game, and also took two catches. He claimed wickets of Stirling as well as dangerous Kevin O'Brien (31) in an impressive spell. third and final game is Sunday in Grenada.

(Picture credits: @ICC)

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