PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad CMC – Lendl Simmons reminded West Indies selectors of his immense talent in the shortest form of the game, slamming a cameo to fire Trinidad and Tobago to a comprehensive nine-wicket win over Ireland in a warm-up Twenty20 game on Tuesday night. The right-handed Simmons, overlooked for the upcoming World Twenty20 Championship, hit a stroke-filled, unbeaten 46 as the hosts easily overhauled Ireland’s paltry 90 all out off 17.1 overs.
He smashed three fours and four sixes off a mere 20 balls, propelling T&T to 96 for one off just 7.1 overs at the Queen’s Park Oval.
Simmons posted a frenetic 88 for the first wicket with William Perkins who lived up to his reputation of a stroke-maker, racing to 42 off 23 balls with four fours and three sixes.
He was dismissed with three runs needed for victory but Simmons finished the game in style with a massive six.
Seasoned opening bowler Boyd Ranking, who will spearhead Ireland’s attack during the April 30 to May 16 tournament, went for 40 runs from his two overs.
Earlier, Gary Wilson slammed 37 but Ireland’s batsmen struggled and never found momentum as they lost wickets steadily.
Winning the toss and batting, Ireland stumbled to 17 for two and never recovered as T&T’s bowlers took control on a helpful wicket.
Towards the end, Trent Johnston made 16 from 12 balls but it was not enough to help Ireland to the 100-run mark.
Sherwin Ganga finished with three for 12 while Navin Stewart (2-15), Kevin Cooper (2-17) and Samuel Badree (2-20) all claimed two wickets.
Ireland will clash with West Indies and England in Group D of the preliminary round in Guyana.