Andy McBrine at the top, but who are the only 2 West Indians among the top 5 wicket-takers in Ireland v West Indies ODIs?
Ireland and the West Indies have played each other in 15 ODIs since they first met back in 2007 in Kingston.
It might not be a lot of games compared to the encounters between more established sides, but it’s a growing rivalry – one that is set to be renewed later this month when Ireland hosts the Windies in a three-game series. The ODIs are all set to be played in Dublin before the teams move to Belfast for a T20I series.
As the sides prepare for the encounter, let’s take a moment to review which bowlers have been most successful in ODIs between Ireland and the West Indies. Here are the top five wicket-takers in the head-to-head record:
5. Roston Chase (West Indies) – 7 ODI wickets from 6 innings vs Ireland
All-rounder Roston Chase has been a handy option with his off spin in Windies’ clashes with Ireland. In six outings, he has picked up 7 wickets at an average of 27.71.
His best figures of 3–44, achieved in Kingston in 2022, came at a time when Ireland were pushing the West Indies hard in a tightly contested game. Chase’s ability to bowl tight lines and exploit Irish batters’ tendency to chase aggressively has made him a consistent threat, often breaking partnerships in the middle overs.
4. George Dockrell (Ireland) – 8 ODI wickets from 10 innings vs West Indies
Left-arm spinner George Dockrell was a key player in early encounters between the two sides, claiming 8 wickets in ten matches at 42.50 apiece. His standout performance of 3–50 came in a World Cup match at Nelson in New Zealand in 2015, where he stifled the Windies’ middle order on a sluggish pitch.
While his average may suggest occasional leaks, Dockrell’s knack for containing runs and building pressure has been crucial in allowing his pacers to operate at the other end. While batsman Paul Stirling won the man-of-the-match gong in that World Cup encounter, Dockrell’s spell that saw him claim the wickets of Chris Gayle, Dinesh Ramdin and Marlon Samuels was instrumental in rocking the Windies back on a batting friendly track.
3. Craig Young (Ireland) – 10 ODI wickets from 4 innings vs West Indies
Pace bowler Craig Young has been Ireland’s most potent seam option against the West Indies, snaring 10 wickets in just four innings at an impressive 19.80 average. His best figures, 3–42, came in Kingston in 2022, where he consistently hit the deck and extracted bounce to trouble Caribbean batters unaccustomed to green Irish pitches.
Young’s ability to swing the new ball and exploit heavy conditions has often given Ireland early breakthroughs, setting the tone for their victories. Young played in three back-to-back ODIs in Kingston in 2022 and bagged three scalps in each game.
2. Alzarri Joseph (West Indies) – 12 ODI wickets from 6 innings vs Ireland
Young fast bowler Alzarri Joseph burst onto the scene with raw pace and bounce, and he’s translated that into success against Ireland—claiming 12 wickets in six matches at a superb 18.58 average.
Joseph’s best figures are back-to-back spells on 4-32 in consecutive ODIs in Bridgetown in 2020. Each time he troubled the openers at the start of the innings before coming back to wreak havoc in the closing stages of the innings with lethal yorkers and short, rising deliveries.
Joseph’s pace, often clocking 90-plus mph, and his developing slower ball, make him a constant wicket-taking threat, especially on flat pitches where most bowlers struggle.
1. Andy McBrine (Ireland) – 17 ODI wickets from 8 innings vs West Indies
Leading the list is Ireland’s left-arm orthodox spinner Andy McBrine, who has been the scourge of West Indian batters with 17 wickets from just eight innings at an outstanding 18.47 average.
His best figures, 4–28, came in Kingston in 2022, where he exploited turn and bounce on a wearing track to dismantle the middle order. McBrine’s control over flight and pace, combined with his subtle variations, have allowed him to pick up regular wickets – often as the Windies looked to rebuild after early strife.
His performances have been pivotal in Ireland’s two most recent wins over the Caribbean side.
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