Windies skipper blames bowlers for Ireland loss

Nelson (New Zealand), Feb 16 (IANS) West Indies captain Jason Holder blamed his bowlers for their shocking loss against minnows Ireland during a Pool B encounter of the cricket World Cup at the Saxton Oval here Monday.

Ireland put the West Indies bowlers to the sword and eased to a four-wicket win, causing the first major upset of the ongoing quadrennial tournament.

Chasing 305 for the win, the Irishmen scored 307 for six in 45.5 overs to record their fifth World Cup victory overall.

"We tried to be better with our bowling at the Powerplay and the death overs, but we weren't able to pull them back," Holder said at the post-match presentation ceremony.

"I think we just need to be a bit more precise when we set fields. We are just giving away too many boundaries during the middle overs."

Opener Paul Stirling led the charge for the Irishmen, smashing 92 off 84 balls and was given brilliant support by Ed Joyce (84) and Niall O'Brien (79 not out).

Riding on a 154-run stand between Lendl Simmons (102) and Darren Sammy (89), the West Indies made 304 for seven.

The 23-year-old Holder felt their bowlers should have defended the total.

"It was a tough loss and obviously putting up 300 should have been enough, but it wasn't today. They came and added impetus for us (Lendl and Sammy) towards the end, but it wasn't enough."

Ireland had previously defeated Pakistan, Bangladesh, England and the Netherlands in World Cups.