9:49 PM IST, 5:19 PM LOCAL TIME: In a magnificent display of dominance, the West Indies Women chased down Ireland's competitive target of 241/7 with relentless ease at Bready, sealing a resounding six-wicket victory to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series.
Ireland’s innings was anchored by fighting half-centuries from Amy Hunter (67) and Rebecca Stokell (57). The duo added 106 runs for the fourth wicket and immensely helped Ireland post a 241-odd total on the scoreboard.
Set 242 for victory, West Indies suffered an early setback when Realeanna Grimmond fell for a three-ball duck, caught behind by Amy Hunter off Orla Prendergast with just one run on the board. However, that was the only breakthrough Ireland could manage for the next 25 overs as Hayley Matthews and Stafanie Taylor combined to take complete control of the chase.
Skipper Matthews led the assault with a fluent 100 from 94 deliveries, laced with 14 boundaries and two sixes at a strike rate of 106.38. This was Matthews' second ton on the trot and her 12th in over a decade-long WODI career.
She added 158 runs for the second wicket with Taylor before becoming Louise Little's first victim in the 26th over. After that, West Indies lost the wickets of Deandra Dottin (9) and Jannillea Glasgow (9) in quick succession.
However, the collapse never happened as Taylor was still there. She then carried the innings through to the finish with an unbeaten 100 off 105 balls, striking 14 fours and one six in a composed knock. This was Taylor's ninth ton in the format. Shemaine Campbelle remained unbeaten on 10 from 16 balls at the other end as Taylor struck a six off a no-ball to finish the chase inside 39 overs.
Ireland's bowlers struggled to stem the flow of runs despite taking four wickets. Aimee Maguire was the most successful with figures of 2/52 from eight overs, while Louise Little (1/17), who had earlier claimed Matthews' prized wicket, and Orla Prendergast (1/39) also chipped in. Georgina Dempsey was the most economical, returning 0/27 from seven overs, but lacked support as West Indies' batters dominated throughout the chase.
West Indies have now taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series ahead of the third and final ODI to be played at the same ground on Wednesday.