Rain Washes Out Ireland vs West Indies 2nd ODI After Windies Post 351; Ireland Maintain Series Lead
The second One Day International between Ireland and West Indies in Ireland on May 23, 2025, was unfortunately called off due to persistent rain. This came after a powerful batting display from the West Indies, who had posted a formidable total of 351, but the weather ultimately prevented any further play, leaving Ireland with their 1-0 series lead intact.
What Happened: Match Called Off Due to Weather
The highly anticipated second One Day International (ODI) between Ireland and the West Indies, part of the West Indies tour of Ireland 2025, was officially abandoned on Friday, May 23, due to relentless rain. Despite the West Indies setting a challenging target after a strong batting performance, the weather conditions made it impossible for the match to proceed, leading to the umpires making the inevitable decision to call off the game around 5:24 PM local time.
West Indies Shine with the Bat Before Rain Intervenes
Earlier in the day, after being put into bat, the West Indies showcased a significantly improved batting performance compared to the first ODI. Despite an initial unsteady start, their middle order rose to the occasion.
Key Batting Performances:
- Keacy Carty’s Superb Century: Keacy Carty was a standout performer, compiling a well-crafted second ODI hundred. He anchored the innings after the early loss of openers and built a crucial 81-run partnership with skipper Shai Hope.
- Matthew Forde’s Explosive Fifty: Matthew Forde provided a blistering finish to the innings, smashing a sensational 58 runs. Notably, 56 of his runs came from boundaries, and his fifty was reported as the joint-fastest in ODIs for the West Indies. His onslaught in the final 10 overs, which yielded 125 runs for the team, was instrumental.
- Pushing Past 350: Contributions from Justin Greaves and Gudakesh Motie (18 off 8 balls, including two sixes) in the closing stages propelled the West Indies to a massive total of 351 before Motie was bowled by Joshua Little off the last ball of the 50th over.
The Unfolding Weather Drama
Just as the West Indies innings concluded with a formidable score, raindrops began to fall, leading to the pitch being covered. What started as light rain soon became a persistent drizzle. For hours, ground staff worked tirelessly with super soppers whenever a slight break in the weather occurred. Hopes flickered briefly around 5:00 PM local time when conditions seemed to brighten, and officials were seen inspecting the ground without umbrellas. However, the respite was short-lived, and the covers remained largely in place. The umpires had multiple discussions with ground officials, assessing the saturated outfield. Despite efforts and a waiting game, the rain refused to relent sufficiently to allow for even a shortened match (a minimum of 20 overs per side is required for an ODI result).
Official Decision and Impact on the Series
Around 5:20 PM local time, the umpires, after a final consultation, made their way off the field, shaking hands with officials and team captains Paul Stirling (Ireland) and Shai Hope (West Indies), signaling the unfortunate end.
The abandonment means the series score remains 1-0 in favour of Ireland. This gives the host nation a significant chance to win their first ODI series at home since 2019 as they head into the final match.
What Happens Next?
All eyes will now turn to the third and final ODI of the series, scheduled to be played on Sunday, May 25. Ireland will be looking to seal a historic series victory, while the West Indies will be desperate to level the series and share the trophy.
Editor’s Note:
This article is based on a report from Cricbuzz, originally titled “Ireland vs West Indies, 2nd ODI, May 23, West Indies tour of Ireland, 2025,” published on May 23, 2025. It has been rewritten for clarity, accessibility, and SEO optimization, preserving all key facts and quotes.
