Hosts West Indies started their World Twenty20 campaign in style with a comprehensive 70-run win over Ireland in a Group D match at the Providence Stadium here on Friday.

Darren Sammy was the star of the day, first with his 17-ball 30 that helped the West Indies put up a 138 for nine in 20 overs after stand-in skipper Dwayne Bravo, as Chris Gayle missed the match due to a problem in his glutes, opted to bat first on a slow surface here.