The US rallied from 16-4 to post 188-6 before limiting Ireland to 162-6 as they mark their historic first home game against full-fledged ICC member with victory; Ireland captain Andy Balbirnie said “it was brutal stuff and not good enough of us”, teams meet in second T20 on Thursday before three ODI
Last updated: 23/12/21 6:18
Ireland’s defeat to the USA followed their elimination in the first round of the recent T20 World Cup
The United States stunned Ireland as they scored their historic first home game against a full member team of the International Cricket Council with a 26-point win in Florida.
The U.S. historic day started disappointingly when they fell at 16-4 after choosing to bat, but Sushant Modani (50 out of 39 balls) and Gajanand Singh (65 out of 42) then put 110 out of 70 balls for the fifth wicket.
Marty Kain (39no of 15) then played a powerful cameo when the hosts scored 188-6.
Ireland’s first goal Paul Stirling scored 31 from 15 balls early in the return and Lorcan Tucker scored with 57 unbeaten from 49 balls but no other batsman went over 19 as the visitors lost wickets at regular intervals and si ended on 162-6.
Absolutely stunning performance from #TeamUSA here in Florida, during the 1st T20I match of Dafabet USA vs. Ireland Series 2021 ❤️🤍💙
After falling 16/4 in the 4th over, our powerful men got close to the crease and hit 172 outside runs ONLY 104 balls 😮#USAvsIRE️ pic.twitter.com/fMHPeMF31t
– USA Cricket (@usacricket) December 22, 2021
Ireland’s defeat followed a first round exit at the recent T20 World Cup in the UAE and Oman, where losses to Namibia and Sri Lanka saw them miss the Super 12 stage.
Ireland will face the US in another T20 on Thursday before the two teams face three one-day internationals on 26, 28 and 30 December.
Balbirnie: Ireland deserved to lose
Ireland captain Any Balbirnie, who was sacked for four after opening the bar with Stirling, said: “It started very well, but from there it was pretty brutal on our part and not good enough.
“We knew it was a good wicket and we would have to work hard for the 10 wickets if we wanted to get them. We didn’t create enough chances and we didn’t play well enough.
“They played great, but we also gave them a lot of bad balls to hit, which is disappointing. We just weren’t good enough to deserve to lose.”
Ireland is 17th in the ICC T20 international rankings, 13 places ahead of the USA, which is in 30th place.
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