Keacy Carty fell just short of history on Sunday but delivered another masterclass with the bat, powering the West Indies to a commanding 197-run victory over Ireland in the third and final One-Day International at Dublin. His knock of 170 not only sealed the series levelled the series at 1-1 for the visitors but also brought him within touching distance of a long-standing record held by none other than Sir Vivian Richards.
Batting first after being inserted by Ireland, the West Indies were rocked early as Barry McCarthy removed both openers—Brandon King for 1 and Evin Lewis for 14—inside the first five overs. But any thoughts of a collapse were quickly silenced as Carty, walking in at No.3, produced a career-best 170 off 142 deliveries.
His innings, laced with 15 boundaries and eight towering sixes, was the cornerstone of the Windies' massive total of 385-7—just four runs shy of their all-time ODI record of 389 against England in 2019. Carty shared a 137-run partnership with captain Shai Hope, who chipped in with a composed 75, before a late flourish from Justin Greaves (50 off 23) lifted the West Indies to their second-highest total in ODI cricket.
In reply, Ireland never came close. Jayden Seales (3-26) led the attack as the hosts were bundled out cheaply, giving the Caribbean side a resounding 197-run win via the DLS method.
Carty was named Player of the Match for the second time in as many games, following his 102 in the rain-hit second ODI. Combined with his match-winning 128 in the series decider against England in Bridgetown last November, Carty has now scored three centuries in his last seven ODIs.
According to Wisden, Carty’s 567 runs in that span now represent the third-highest tally by a West Indies batter across seven consecutive ODI innings, behind only Viv Richards (577) and Chris Gayle (576). His average during this period is a staggering 94.50, with a strike rate of 102.71.
The 27-year-old also joins elite company—becoming just the third West Indian, alongside Brian Lara and Phil Simmons, to notch three hundreds in a span of seven ODI knocks.
Carty’s 170 now ranks as the joint-sixth-highest ODI score by a West Indies player, level with Shai Hope, and the third-highest by a West Indian non-opener, trailing only Richards’ 189* against England in 1984 and his 181 against Sri Lanka in 1987. The highest ODI score by a West Indian remains Gayle’s 215 against Zimbabwe at the 2015 World Cup—the only double century in the region’s history.
As the Windies look ahead to a packed international calendar, Carty’s meteoric rise offers a glimmer of consistency and class—traits that the team has long searched for in the 50-over format. Just 11 runs shy of matching the great Sir Viv Richards’ record, Carty is not only knocking on history’s door—he’s kicking it wide open.
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