The West Indies vs Ireland ODI rivalry has produced some fascinating matches since the two teams first met in One Day International cricket. West Indies have traditionally been the stronger side because of their long history and experience in international cricket, but Ireland have repeatedly shown that they can compete with established Full Member teams. West Indies vs Ireland Head-to-Head in ODI
The two sides have met 18 times in ODIs, with West Indies winning 12 matches, Ireland winning 4, and 2 matches ending without a result. There has been no tied ODI between the teams.
Although West Indies have the clear overall advantage, Ireland have produced some memorable victories, including a remarkable 124-run win in the first ODI of their 2025 series.
West Indies vs Ireland ODI Head-to-Head Record
| Head-to-Head Record | West Indies | Ireland |
|---|---|---|
| Matches | 18 | 18 |
| Wins | 12 | 4 |
| Losses | 4 | 12 |
| No Result | 2 | 2 |
| Ties | 0 | 0 |
| Win Percentage* | 66.67% | 22.22% |
*Win percentage shown against total matches. West Indies vs Ireland Head-to-Head in ODI
The statistics clearly show West Indies’ dominance. They have won two-thirds of all completed or scheduled encounters, while Ireland have won four matches. Two matches have been abandoned or ended without a result.
First ODI Meeting
The West Indies and Ireland first met in ODI cricket in 2007. West Indies won that encounter by eight wickets, establishing an early advantage in the rivalry.
At the time, Ireland were still developing their reputation on the international stage. West Indies, meanwhile, had a long-established ODI tradition and had already won the Cricket World Cup twice.
However, Ireland’s progress over the following years meant that the contests gradually became more competitive.
West Indies Dominance in the Early Years
West Indies won several of the early meetings between the teams.
Their experience in international cricket gave them an advantage, particularly in batting depth and bowling variety. Ireland, however, were becoming increasingly competitive against major cricketing nations.
One notable West Indies victory came in 2011, when they defeated Ireland by 44 runs. Another came in 2018, when West Indies won by 52 runs.
These results demonstrated West Indies’ ability to control matches through both batting and bowling.
Ireland’s First Major Success
Ireland have never been afraid of playing against higher-ranked teams, and their victories over West Indies are examples of that competitive spirit.
Ireland defeated West Indies by four wickets in 2015, producing an impressive run chase.
That victory was another sign that Ireland had developed into a dangerous ODI side capable of defeating established international teams.
Ireland’s ability to perform under pressure has often been one of their greatest strengths.
West Indies vs Ireland in 2020
The two teams played a three-match ODI series in the Caribbean in January 2020.
West Indies dominated the series, winning all three matches.
They won the first ODI by five wickets, the second by one wicket, and the third by five wickets.
The second match was particularly dramatic because West Indies successfully completed a very close chase, winning by just one wicket.
The series showed that although Ireland could compete, West Indies had the greater consistency across a multi-match contest.
2022 ODI Series
The teams met again in a three-match ODI series in Jamaica in January 2022.
West Indies won the first match by 24 runs, but Ireland responded strongly in the next two games.
Ireland won the second ODI by five wickets under the DLS method and then won the third ODI by two wickets.
This gave Ireland a memorable 2-1 series victory and demonstrated how much their ODI cricket had developed.
The result was particularly significant because Ireland recovered from losing the opening game to win the series.
2025 ODI Series: A Dramatic Battle
The most recent ODI series between West Indies and Ireland took place in May 2025.
The first ODI was played in Dublin on May 21. Ireland produced an outstanding performance, scoring 303/6 before dismissing West Indies for just 179.
Ireland won by 124 runs, their biggest ODI victory by runs against a Full Member at that time. Andy Balbirnie scored 112, while Barry McCarthy took four wickets.
The victory was one of the strongest performances Ireland have produced against West Indies.
Second ODI
The second match, played on May 23, ended without a result because of weather.
West Indies had posted 352/8, putting themselves in a very strong position before the match was abandoned.
The huge West Indies total showed their batting strength and ability to respond after the heavy defeat in the opening game.
Third ODI
West Indies bounced back emphatically in the third ODI on May 25.
They scored 385/7 and then restricted Ireland to 165, winning by 197 runs under the DLS method.
The result allowed West Indies to finish the series strongly.
Highest Team Scores
The rivalry has produced some impressive batting totals.
West Indies’ highest ODI score against Ireland is 385/7, achieved in the third ODI of the 2025 series. Ireland’s highest score against West Indies is 327.
The 2025 series therefore produced two completely different types of matches: Ireland’s strong 303/6 in the first ODI and West Indies’ massive 385/7 in the third.
These results demonstrate that both teams have the batting ability to produce big ODI totals.
Biggest Victory by West Indies
West Indies’ biggest victory over Ireland came in the third ODI in 2025, when they won by 197 runs under the DLS method.
After scoring 385/7, West Indies’ bowlers restricted Ireland to 165.
The result was a huge turnaround from the first match of the series, when Ireland had defeated West Indies by 124 runs.
Biggest Victory by Ireland
Ireland’s biggest win over West Indies came in the first ODI of the 2025 series.
Ireland scored 303/6, with Andy Balbirnie making 112. West Indies were bowled out for 179, giving Ireland a 124-run victory.
It was an especially important result because it showed Ireland could dominate a Full Member team in a conventional ODI contest.
Key Players in the Rivalry
Andy Balbirnie
Andy Balbirnie has been one of Ireland’s most important ODI batters. His 112 in the first ODI of 2025 played a major role in Ireland’s record-breaking victory over West Indies.
His ability to build long innings has made him an important player for Ireland in ODI cricket.
Barry McCarthy
Barry McCarthy was another major contributor to Ireland’s 2025 victory.
He took 4/32 in the first ODI, helping Ireland bowl West Indies out for 179.
His performance demonstrated the importance of Ireland’s pace attack.
Shai Hope
Shai Hope has been one of West Indies’ most dependable ODI batters in the modern era. His ability to construct innings while maintaining a healthy scoring rate makes him particularly valuable in 50-over cricket.
Evin Lewis
West Indies’ powerful opening batters have often provided quick starts in this rivalry. Evin Lewis has been one of the team’s notable attacking options when available.
Batting vs Bowling
The West Indies-Ireland rivalry is interesting because the two teams have often relied on different strengths.
West Indies have traditionally possessed naturally aggressive batters and fast bowlers. Their ability to score quickly can put opposition teams under immediate pressure.
Ireland, meanwhile, have developed a disciplined bowling attack and a batting group capable of building competitive totals.
The 2025 series perfectly demonstrated this contrast. Ireland dominated the first match with disciplined bowling and an excellent century from Balbirnie, while West Indies responded with a huge 385/7 in the third ODI.
Recent Form and Rivalry Balance
The overall head-to-head record remains heavily in West Indies’ favor, but Ireland have narrowed the competitive gap in recent years.
West Indies lead 12-4 in 18 ODIs, but Ireland won two of the three matches in the 2022 series and produced a major upset in the first ODI of the 2025 series.
This suggests that the rivalry is becoming more competitive even though West Indies still have the superior overall record.
Ireland’s improvement is particularly important because they have frequently competed against top-ranked Full Member nations despite having fewer resources and a smaller player pool.
Why This ODI Rivalry Matters
West Indies vs Ireland may not have the same historical profile as some of cricket’s biggest rivalries, but it represents an important part of modern international cricket.
West Indies are a two-time ODI World Cup champion and one of the sport’s historic teams. Ireland represent the growth of cricket outside the traditional Full Member nations.
Their matches therefore provide an interesting contrast between established cricketing history and an emerging international side.
The results also show that Ireland can defeat major teams when they execute their plans effectively.
Conclusion
The West Indies vs Ireland head-to-head record in ODI cricket clearly favors West Indies. After 18 matches, West Indies have won 12, while Ireland have won 4, with 2 matches ending without a result.
However, the numbers do not tell the entire story. Ireland have produced several impressive performances, including their 2022 series victory and their 124-run win over West Indies in the opening ODI of the 2025 series.
West Indies responded strongly in that 2025 series, scoring 385/7 and winning the third ODI by 197 runs. These contrasting results show that both teams are capable of producing outstanding ODI cricket.
As Ireland continue to strengthen their international program and West Indies develop their next generation of players, this rivalry could become even more competitive in future ODI encounters.
5 Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many ODIs have West Indies and Ireland played?
West Indies and Ireland have played 18 ODI matches against each other.
2. Who has won more ODIs between West Indies and Ireland?
West Indies have the better record, with 12 wins, compared with Ireland’s 4. Two matches ended without a result.
3. What is Ireland’s biggest ODI win against West Indies?
Ireland’s biggest recent ODI win was their 124-run victory in May 2025 in Dublin.
4. What is the highest ODI score in West Indies vs Ireland matches?
West Indies’ highest score is 385/7, achieved in the third ODI in May 2025.
5. Who scored 112 for Ireland against West Indies in 2025?
Andy Balbirnie scored 112 runs in Ireland’s 124-run victory in the first ODI of the 2025 series.