Dominant Ireland knock Windies out of T20 World Cup

Two-time champions West Indies have crashed out of the T20 World Cup before the 12-team main event after being humbled by Ireland in Hobart.

With a Super 12 spot up for grabs for the winner, Ireland triumphed by nine wickets on the back of a brutal opening stand from Andy Balbirnie and Paul Stirling  to progress to the next stage.

Ireland chased down 5-146 with 15 balls to spare, ending the group stage with two wins from three matches.

Balbirnie and Stirling got the chase off to a dream start with a partnership of 73 from 45 balls, the highest opening stand of the tournament so far.

Balbirnie (37 from 23) fell in the eighth over, but not before helping push the required run rate below six an over.

Stirling finished unbeaten on 66 from 48, combining for a 77-run stand with Lorcan Tucker (45 not out from 35).

Tucker struck a boundary through the covers to seal the win.

It is the first time Ireland have qualified for the main stage of a Twenty20 World Cup since their debut in 2009.

It is a big fall from grace for West Indies, who are the only side to have won the T20 World Cup two times (2012 and 2016). They also made the semi-finals in 2009 and 2014.

They were upset by Scotland on Monday but kept their hopes alive by beating Zimbabwe two days ago.

Earlier, West Indies' recent struggles against spin continued after they won the toss and elected to bat.

Brandon King top-scored with an unbeaten 62 from 48 deliveries, while some lusty blows from Odean Smith (19 not out from 12) provided a late boost.

Irish legspinner Gareth Delany starred with a career-best 3-16, nabbing his wickets in the middle-to-late overs.

Ireland lost their opening Group B match against Zimbabwe but rebounded with a win over Scotland.