Leah Paul has etched her name in Irish cricket history by becoming the first left-handed batter from Ireland to surpass 1,000 ODI runs. At just 25 years old, the all-rounder from Dublin has also become the second-fastest Irish player to achieve this milestone, taking only 39 innings—second only to skipper Gaby Lewis, who achieved the feat in 35 innings.
Leah Paul’s Journey to 1,000 ODI Runs
Leah Paul made her international debut on May 7, 2017, at just 17 years and 239 days old. She played her first ODI against India during the Quadrangular series at Potchefstroom. Since then, she has established herself as a dependable top-order batter and a key all-rounder for the Ireland women’s team.
Her maiden ODI half-century came on October 7, 2021, in the second ODI against Zimbabwe. Paul scored an impressive 95 off 118 balls as an opener at Harare Sports Club, narrowly missing out on a maiden century. Her all-round brilliance in that match—95 runs with the bat and figures of 9-2-29-1 with the ball—earned her the Player of the Match award.
Paul reached 500 ODI runs on June 26, 2023, during the first ODI against the West Indies at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium, Gros Islet, St. Lucia. She has since continued her consistent performances, growing into a vital member of the Irish batting lineup.
A Historic Achievement in India
Ireland, led by skipper Gaby Lewis, is currently visiting India for a three-match ODI series from January 10 to January 15, 2025. Leah Paul started the series on a high note, scoring her seventh ODI half-century (59 off 73 balls) in the first ODI. In the second game, held at Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot, she achieved the historic milestone of 1,000 ODI runs.
Paul reached the landmark in the 42nd over of the run chase, with a single off Deepti Sharma to short fine leg. She finished unbeaten on 27* off 22 balls, but Ireland fell short by 116 runs, conceding both the match and the series.
Leah Paul’s ODI Career Stats
Paul’s impressive tally of 1,024 runs has come in 39 innings at a strike rate of 61.53 and an average of 26.94. Her achievements include:
- Half-Centuries: 7
- Centuries: 1
- Best Performance: 137 off 138 balls against the Netherlands on August 24, 2022, at the VRA Ground, Amstelveen.
Leah Paul’s journey from a promising debutante to a record-setting all-rounder underscores her talent and perseverance. As the first Irish left-hander to cross 1,000 ODI runs, she has set a new benchmark for the future of Irish cricket.
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