Sunil Ambris sends reminder to West Indies selectors

Sunil Ambris is not in the West Indies 15-man World Cup squad, but he has sent a reminder to the selectors, when he scored his maiden One-Day International (ODI) century, to help propel the regional team to their highest-ever successful run chase in ODIs, as they claimed victory over host Ireland in the Tri-Nations Series on Saturday.

Ambris, the first Vincentian to score an ODI century, cracked 148 from just 136 balls as the West Indies overhauled Ireland’s challenging total of 327 for five from their 50 overs, to end on 331 for five off 47.5 overs.

The West Indies’ previous successful highest run chase in ODIs was 309 against Pakistan in 2017.

Speaking at the end of the match, in which Ambris earned the player of the match award, he said: “That performance should basically keep my name there and let the selectors know that I’m still playing and I’m still scoring runs. As a professional cricketer, I always have to work hard, so that’s what I’m going to continue doing,” Ambris, together with the inform Shai Hope, who was chasing a third successive century, put on 84 runs for the first wicket in quick time.

Ambris and Roston Chase put on a 128-run stand off 116 balls, that buffed the West Indies’ innings.

Ambris went with the score on 252 for 4, but captain Jason Holder stroked 36 from 24 balls, and fellow Barbadian Jonathan Carter struck 43 from 27 balls, putting on 75 runs at a rate of over 10 runs per over.

Although Holder went with the scores level, there were no more hiccups, as the West Indies won comfortably.

Earlier, 135 from Andy Balbirnie, 77 off 98 balls from Paul Stirling, and 63 from Kevin O’ Brien, saw Ireland to 327 for 5 from their 50 overs.

Shannon Gabriel was the most successful West Indies’ bowler, finishing with two wickets for 47 runs.

The West Indies play Bangladesh in the final this Friday.