Star Ireland allrounder Orla Prendergast displayed some ominous form on the eve of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup as she guided her side to victory against the West Indies in Dublin on Monday.
Prendergast picked up two wickets and hit 71 from just 46 deliveries to help Ireland record their first-ever triumph over the West Indies in women's T20I as the European side to the top of the tri-series standings ahead of the start of the T20 World Cup on June 12.
"I'm definitely feeling good ahead of the World Cup, so just looking forward to get going over there," Prendergast declared after collecting her Player of the Match award.
The West Indies had managed a decent total of 141/8 from their 20 overs, but an on song Prendergast and some help from Dublin's fickle weather ensured the tri-series hosts scraped over the line to create more history for Ireland.
Orla Prendergast's all-round heroics guided Ireland to their first-ever T20I victory against the West Indies 👏
— ICC (@ICC) June 2, 2026
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The victory was extra sweet for Ireland as the showed ever-growing maturity to bounce back from a disappointing eight-wicket loss to the West Indies in the opening match of the tri-series and Prendergast has been impressed with the resilience of her side.
"It's something we speak about so much as a group is our resilience and ability to bounce back," Prendergast added.
"And we showed again today, I think that was a tougher game as we could have started off with. So to bounce back against the same side the way we did today is so pleasing."
West Indies coach Shane Deitz has been pleased with the performances of his side so far in Ireland, but admitted his team were lost for answers when attempting to curtail the brilliance of Prendergast.
Ireland are confident to leave their mark at the upcoming #T20WorldCup 🙌
— ICC (@ICC) June 2, 2026
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"Prendergast came out and played a real good innings," Deitz told West Indies Cricket after the match.
"She put the pressure on us and at times we probably didn't react how we should react under pressure and that's what's going to be the big thing in this World Cup is how we react under pressure against really good players.
"The team must find a way to adjust to the different playing conditions a bit more quickly."
The West Indies have one more further game against Pakistan at the tri-series in Ireland, before two warm-up fixtures prior to the commencement of the T20 World Cup in England and Wales and Deitz is hoping the team will be well prepared once the tournament starts.
"The main thing learning from this is what we usually do in the Caribbean on Caribbean wickets and other parts of the world, what options we go to with the ball or shots we go to the bat might not work over here," Deitz commenced.
"It's good to go through that now and really get accustomed to these conditions so, when we're under pressure, come the World Cup, we know what the best options to take are at each situation.
"That's probably the big take out, lots of learning opportunities. And that's what we've got to review that now and work out next game. In that situation again in the World Cup, we've got to take the right options because you don't get a second chance out of the World Cup."