Ireland’s fast bowler, Liam McCarthy, endured a nightmare spell during the third T20I against West Indies on Sunday, June 15, 2025, conceding a staggering 81 runs in his four overs without picking up a single wicket. This performance marks the second-most expensive bowling figures in the history of Men’s T20 Internationals.
A Forgettable Debut (for his spell)
The match, played at the Bready Cricket Club in Northern Ireland, saw West Indies post a mammoth total of 256/5, their second-highest in T20I history. McCarthy, in his full quota of four overs, was targeted relentlessly by the West Indian batsmen, including a fiery start from Shimron Hetmyer and debutant Keacy Carty, and a late assault from Carty and Romario Shepherd. He was hit for 11 fours and 5 sixes, along with two wides, culminating in an economy rate of 20.25.
Second on the Unwanted List
McCarthy’s figures of 0/81 now stand as the second-most expensive spell in T20I history. The top spot is held by Gambia’s Musa Jobarteh, who conceded 93 runs in four overs against Zimbabwe last year. For a player from a Test-playing nation, McCarthy’s spell is now the most expensive, surpassing Sri Lanka’s Kasun Rajitha’s 0/75 against Australia in 2019.
The Context of the Carnage
While McCarthy’s performance was certainly one to forget, it came on a flat pitch against a red-hot West Indies batting lineup. Evin Lewis smashed 91 runs off just 44 balls, and captain Shai Hope contributed with a rapid 51 off 27 deliveries, setting the stage for the explosive hitting that followed. The sheer dominance of the West Indies batters on the day made it a challenging outing for all the Irish bowlers, but McCarthy bore the brunt of the assault.
Despite this tough outing, it’s a moment for the young Irish pacer to learn and move forward. Such experiences, while difficult, can often serve as crucial learning curves for developing cricketers.
