Today at 2:00 p.m ET (19:00 GMT) the West Indies will take on Ireland in the second T20 International from Kingston, Jamaica, after the Irish surprised them by handling Chris Gayle and co. and emerging victorious. Live stream the match free by clicking this link.
The West Indies received a wake-up call on Wednesday from Ireland, whom the appeared to take lightly with star players Gayle, Marlon Samuels and Darren Sammy all returning from various injuries. Still, they were expected to cruise past a unit that doesn't even participate in tests.
Instead, they left the 1st T20 matchup with mounting questions before they embark on ICC World Twenty20 schedule. The shocking win adds intrigue to today's match, as the Irish figure to come into it with burgeoning confidence, and intent on bolstering their reputation as David against the cricket Goliaths. Ireland will be taking part in the World Twenty20 in Bangladesh in March, and another victory over a talented West Indies squad could strike some fear in their opponents' minds.
"The way we played in the first game proved to the younger players that we can beat the world champions, which will give us huge confidence," Irish batsman Ed Joyce said. He was the straw that stirred Ireland's drink Wednesday notching a 40 not out.
If they can win today, it will be Ireland's first ever victory over a full member. "It's absolutely possible," he said. "It would be lovely to win 2-0, especially as we're probably a slightly better 50-over side than a 20-over side.
"We came so close to beating Pakistan in a series last year and we've dominated the associate scene for a while so it would be nice to get a big win against a major cricket nation."
On the flip side, the T20I was Gayle's first match back from a serious hamstring injury, so his quiet 18-run showing wasn't a total shock. Power is typically the last attribute to return after a hamstring injury, so the West Indies are counting on a return to form for one of the world's top players.
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