Ireland win their first Women’s T20 World Cup match as Prendergast sinks West Indies
Orla Prendergast’s 63 powered Ireland to a six-wicket win over West Indies in Bristol, a maiden victory at a Women’s T20 World Cup even as the Caribbean side still reached the semi-finals.
Jun 28, 2026
Ireland have a Women’s T20 World Cup win at last. In their final group game in Bristol on June 27, they beat West Indies by six wickets for the first victory in their history at the tournament, and they did it on the back of a standout innings from Orla Prendergast.
West Indies kept quiet
West Indies could only post 128 for 7. The Caribbean batters never broke loose, and not a single six came off their innings. Hayley Matthews made 22 from 25 balls at the top, and Chinelle Henry’s unbeaten 27 at the death gave the total a little more respectability, but Ireland’s bowlers held the line throughout. Aimee Maguire set the tone by having Qiana Joseph caught in the first over, and Cara Murray’s two for 13 was the standout return as the Irish bowlers held the line.
Prendergast leads the chase
Chasing 129, Ireland leaned on Prendergast. She struck eight fours and two sixes in her 63 and put on 62 in 53 balls with Amy Hunter, who made 28, to tilt the game Ireland’s way. After Prendergast fell, Rebecca Stokell and Louise Little kept their heads to see it through, Little closing out the landmark with a boundary.
A first that came too late to matter
There was a catch to the celebration. West Indies had already done enough to reach the semi-finals as Group 2’s second-placed side behind England, so the defeat did not move them off course. For Ireland, who had lost every match they played at the tournament before this, a maiden World Cup win was worth having all the same, whatever the group table said.