Gibson pleased with Ireland test

André Lowe, Senior Staff Reporter

West Indies coach, Ottis Gibson, was full of smiles after his team's 31-run victory over Ireland in yesterday's Twenty20 Supreme Ventures Sports Betting Jamaica Cricket Festival clash at the Trelawny Multi-purpose Stadium.

In what was quite possibly a preview of what is to come at the April 30-May 16 ICC World Twenty20 Tournament, where both teams will meet at the group stage, the Windies achieved a comfortable victory after stopping the Irish at 112-7. This after posting 143-8 in their 20 overs.

Gibson stressed the importance of the victory, noting that the objective yesterday was to get a closer look at the Irish team ahead of their clash later on this month, in the highly anticipated event.

"One of the things we spoke about this morning (yesterday) before the game was that we will use this to size-up Ireland and it's important for us to win this first little battle," said Gibson after the match.

"Obviously, this is not the real deal but it's good for us to win this first battle and have a look at them and see what they are all about, also bearing in mind that we have key players missing who will certainly strengthen us."

Gibson was pleased with his team's showing so far in the local competition. On Saturday the WI registered a 49-run triumph over Canada in their opening game and Gibson stressed that he is not

interested in making statements to other teams at this point, but rather to get the regional team ready for the month-end tournament.

"This weekend has been valuable for what we need as a team going forward into the Twenty20 World Cup. It's not about making statements to other teams at this point, but we are here to get practice and try a few things," Gibson pointed out.

"We came here not only to play, but to get some practice and I think that the last two games have been valuable match practice for us."