A new-look England side led by skipper Kate Cross is touring Ireland for a white-ball series after 29 years, having last played in the country in July 1995, in Women’s European Championship.
The bilateral series includes a three-match ODI series followed by two T20Is. The series commenced on 7th September 2024 and will conclude on 15th September 2024. Ireland’s stand-in skipper Gaby Lewis (in the absence of regular skipper Laura Delany) won the toss and opted to bat first in the 1st ODI at the Civil Service Cricket Club, Stormont, Belfast.
The home side got off to a poor start after opting to bat first, as they lost the wicket of their opening batter Una Raymond-Hoey in the first over of the innings with England’s skipper Kate Cross providing the first breakthrough. Wicket-keeper batter Amy Hunter joined skipper Gaby Lewis at the crease and the duo stitched a much-needed 20-run partnership for the 2nd wicket to lead some sort of a recovery for their side.
Lauren Filer picked up the big wicket of the opposition skipper Gaby Lewis to provide the 2nd breakthrough for her side. Orla Prendergast joined wicket-keeper batter Amy Hunter at the crease and the duo stitched a crucial 53-run partnership to take their side closer to the 100-run mark. Hannah Baker picked up the wicket of the wicket-keeper batter Amy Hunter, her maiden wicket in international cricket, to provide the 3rd breakthrough for England.
Leah Paul joined Orla Prendergast at the crease and the duo stitched another crucial 77-run partnership for the 4th wicket to take their side past the 150-run mark. Skipper Kate Cross returned and picked up the big wicket of the set batter Orla Prendergast to provide the much-needed 4th breakthrough for her side. She was in ominous touch before getting dismissed on 76 off 87.
Ireland lost a couple of wickets in quick succession to bring England back into the contest. Alice Tector joined Arlene Kelly with their side in trouble at 173/6 in 38 overs. The duo stitched a much-needed 27-run partnership for the 7th wicket to take their side to the 200-run mark. Skipper Kate Cross returned and picked up the wicket of Arlene Kelly (12) to provide the 7th breakthrough for England. However, the home side suffered a mini collapse as they lost their last three wickets for just 10 runs. As a result, they were bundled out for 210 with 19 balls to spare.
Orla Prendergast (76 off 87 balls), wicket-keeper batter Amy Hunter (37 off 45 balls), Leah Paul (33 off 54 balls), and Alice Tector (21 off 26 balls) were the top performers with the bat for Ireland. Skipper Kate Cross (9.5-0-30-6), Lauren Filer (9-0-44-1), Ryana MacDonald-Gay (8-0-30-1), Hannah Baker (10-0-53-1) and Maddy Villiers (10-0-49-0) were the top performers with the ball for England.
Watch Video: 6 Wicket haul for Kate Cross 🔥🔥#CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/CPePz7jmlQ
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) September 9, 2024
Only 2 female cricketers have picked 6 wickets and scored 30 runs in Women’s ODIs. ✅ #CricketTwitter #IREvENG pic.twitter.com/nBU4tEOJGL
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) September 8, 2024
Chasing a target of 211, England also got off to a poor start as they lost the wicket of their opening batter Emma Lamb (4) in the 3rd over of the run chase. Orla Prendergast provided the first breakthrough for Ireland. Hollie Armitage joined Tammy Beaumont at the crease and the duo stitched a much-needed 23-run partnership for the 2nd wicket to lead some sort of a recovery for their side.
Orla Prendergast returned and picked up the wicket of Tammy Beaumont (10) to provide the 2nd breakthrough for her side. Paige Scholfield joined Hollie Armitage at the crease and the duo stitched a crucial 62-run partnership for the 3rd wicket to take their side close to the 100-run mark. Freya Sargent picked up the wicket of Paige Scholfield to provide the 3rd breakthrough for Ireland.
Hollie Armitage soon followed her back to the pavilion in a 4th breakthrough for Ireland, this in quick succession. Wicket-keeper batter Bess Heath joined Freya Kemp at the crease and the duo stitched a much-needed 36-run partnership for the 5th wicket to take their side in a solid position in the run chase. Arlene Kelly cleaned up Freya Kemp (26) to provide the 5th breakthrough for her side.
Maddy Villiers joined wicket-keeper batter Bess Heath at the crease and the duo stitched a crucial 24-run partnership for the 6th wicket to take their side past the 150-run mark. Maddy Villiers was found short of her crease to provide the 6th breakthrough for Ireland. Skipper Kate Cross joined wicket-keeper batter Bess Heath at the crease and the duo took their side over the line with a 55-run 7th wicket partnership.
The visitors, England got over the line with four wickets in hand and 91 balls to spare to go 1-0 up in the three-match ODI series. Hollie Armitage (44 off 44 balls), skipper Kate Cross (38* off 36 balls), wicket-keeper batter Bess Heath (33* off 37 balls), and Paige Scholfield (31 off 33 balls) were the top performers with the bat for England. Orla Prendergast (6-0-27-2), Arlene Kelly (7.5-0-49-1), Freya Sargent (6-0-40-1), and Aimee Maguire (7-0-52-1) were the top performers with the ball for Ireland.
England skipper Kate Cross was awarded the Player of the Match for her sensational all-round performance, returning with match figures (9.5-0-30-6), with the ball and scoring a handy (38* off 36 balls) with the bat to take her side over the line in the 1st ODI. The 2nd ODI of the series will be played at the same venue in Belfast on 9th September 2024 from 3:15 PM IST.
