ODI-record opening stand helps West Indies secure huge win over Ireland

Campbell notched 179 in just 137 balls, extending his maiden ODI ton to the fourth highest score by any West Indian in the format, while Hope hit 170 from 152, sharing a stand of 365. This also sits as the second-highest partnership in ODI history, behind compatriots Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels who hit 372 against Zimbabwe in the 2015 Men's Cricket World Cup.

West Indies hit 381/3, while Ireland effort could only muster 185 with the bat, falling 196 short, and beating Campbell's solo effot by just six runs.

Having been put into bat, West Indies took control of the game from the early stages. Despite not initially exploding into life, the openers gradually gathered steam as the innings wore on, Campbell bringing up his first hundred in the format from 99 deliveries and Hope reaching the milestone from 112.

They both kicked on expertly, turning their centuries into big ones, and ramping up their strike-rates to push their side to the highest ever ODI score recorded in Ireland.

Campbell and Hope both fell to Barry McCarthy (2/76) in the 48th over, and Jason Holder was the third victim, departing on the last ball of the innings as he looked to go big to Mark Adair (1/84).

Ireland were valiant in their efforts with the bat, however the pressure of maintaining the run-rate in pursuit of such a big total proved too great, and no batsman was able to kick on and record a big score.

The first three Irish wickets fell in quick succession at the start of the side's innings, Kemar Roach accounting for Paul Stirling (0) and William Porterfield (12), before Sheldon Cottrell pinned the home side to 21/3 with the wicket of Lorcan Tucker (0).

Kevin O'Brien and Andrew Balbirnie then took the reins, batting smartly, albeit behind the required run-rate, until the latter took a blow to the head from Shannon Gabriel and was forced to depart the field.
Gary Wilson took over, and momentum was just beginning to take form for the Irish when Kevin O'Brien (68), having notched his 17th ODI 50 in dominant style, smashed the ball straight to Holder at mid-off, the first of four scalps for spinner Ashley Nurse (4/51).

Wilson added 30 before falling to Gabriel, with Balbirnie having resumed his position out in the middle after making a startling quick recovery.

Balbirnie (29) lost his wicket to Gabriel shortly after, and Nurse cleaned up the tail with relative ease as West Indies cantered to a 196-run victory.

West Indies take on Bangladesh on 7 May in the next match of the Tri-Series, while Ireland also play Bangladesh in their next game on 9 May.