Andrew Balbirnie insists spirits are high in the Irish camp despite suffering a whitewash against the West Indies in the ODI series.

The Ireland men’s captain believes they can take positives from the series into the T20 matches which get underway later today in Grenada.

Balbirnie spoke at the team hotel after the squad's training session at the National Stadium in St. George's.

"The lads in the squad are feeling good leading in to the T20 Series," said Balbirnie.

"We have a lot of positives to take from the ODIs - both individually and as a team - and we take those into a new format today with a few new faces in the squad."

The skipper is hoping that the late arrivals, Harry Tector, George Dockrell and Josh Little, into the Irish squad, can give them a boost.

"The three new guys arrived just over a week ago, so they will have had the same lead into the T20 series as the ODI squad did before our first game," said Balbirnie.

"I think both the Windies and our squad will have players who haven’t played in the ODIs, so there will be a few sets of fresh legs, so to speak, and hopefully that can help make a difference for us on the field."

Balbirnie has been really impressed by the amount of support that the Irish team have received in the Caribbean. 

"The support out here has been fantastic for both sides," added Balbirnie.

"There has been a large group of Irish fans who have travelled over just for the games, and in Barbados especially there were a lot of Irish and even English tourists who came out to support us.

"The locals really love their cricket and while they’ve been very friendly and welcoming they are definitely supporting the home teams which has made for a great atmosphere at games so far."

The teams begin a three-match T20 International series today, starting at 5pm Irish time at the National Cricket Stadium, St. George’s, Grenada.

For fans in Ireland and the UK, the third match will be televised on Sky Sports Cricket channel.

Ireland’s T20I squad

Andrew Balbirnie (Captain), Mark Adair, Gareth Delany, George Dockrell, Josh Little, Barry McCarthy, Kevin O’Brien, Boyd Rankin, Simi Singh, Paul Stirling, Harry Tector, Lorcan Tucker, Gary Wilson, Craig Young.

Upcoming international fixtures – West Indies tour

  • Jan 15: 1st Twenty20 International – National Cricket Stadium, Grenada (start time 5pm, GMT)

  • Jan 18: 2nd Twenty20 International – Warner Park, St. Kitts (start time 10pm, GMT)

  • Jan 19: 3rd Twenty20 International – Warner Park, St. Kitts (start time 10pm, GMT)