PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC) — Ireland warmed up for the upcoming series against West Indies with a three-wicket win over a Trinidad and Tobago B team in a Twenty20 match at the National Cricket Centre in Couva on Thursday.

Paul Stirling slammed 70 off 38 balls with seven fours and three sixes to lead the ICC Associate team to 142 for seven off 19.3 overs, in reply to T&T B’s 138 for four from their 20 overs.

Stirling dominated an opening stand of 51 with skipper William Porterfield (four), being particularly savage taking 41 from two overs bowled by Marlon Richards and Daron Cruickshank.

After Porterfield was dismissed, Stirling and Kevin O’Brien (21) took the score to 86 for one at the half-way stage, as Ireland looked set to register a convincing win.

However, when Stirling departed via the run out route, four wickets fell cheaply leaving James Shannon to clinch the win scoring an unbeaten 23 from 18 balls and with three balls remaining in the game.

Earlier, a solid batting display by the young Trinidad and Tobago side had set what proved to be a challenging 138 for four in their 20 overs.

Marlon Barclay top-scored with 35, while there were good performances also from Kjorn Ottley (34), Adrian Ali (28) and Jonathan Augustus (18*).

Ireland were due back in action yesterday in another T20 warm-up against a Trinidad and Tobago select.