Ireland register four-wicket win over Windies in CWC opener at Saxton Oval

World Cup minnows Ireland were the first one to cause trouble as they chased down West Indies' 304-7 to register a four-wicket win in their tournament opener at the Saxton Oval in Nelson.

All-rounder Lendl Simmons ton lifted West Indies to a respectable total of 304-7 as their opening batsmen failed to put up a solid start after they were put in to bat first by Ireland, who won the toss and decided to field.

Opener Dwayne Smith and star batsman Chris Gayle failed to get West Indies on a big start as they fell on their individual scores of 18 and 36 respectively.

Darren Bravo went for a duck while Marlon Samuels knocked 21 before departing from the pitch.

Simmons steadied the ship for West Indies, as he smashed 102 off 84 deliveries, hitting nine fours and five sixes. He was helped on the pitch by Darren Sammy, who knocked his individual 89, which came off 67 deliveries and included nine fours and four sixes.

Slow-arm left orthodox bowler George Dockrell was the pick of the bowlers for Ireland as he claimed three wickets, including the vital wicket of big-hitting Gayle.

As Ireland began their chase, skipper William Porterfield and Paul Sterling took them to a solid start. Porterfield knocked 23 runs and Sterling fell eight runs short of his ton as they put up a first wicket partnership of 71 runs.

Ed Joyce then joined Sterling after their skipper's dismissal and the batsman went on to make his individual 84 run, as he and the opener put up a 106-run partnership for the second wicket.

Niall O'Brien remained unbeaten on his individual 79 to lift Ireland to their first victory of the 2015 WC.

Ireland chased the target with 25 balls remaining and four wickets in hand. Sterling was awarded the Player of the Match award for his brilliant knock of 92 runs that came off 84 deliveries.