Ireland’s women’s cricket team claimed a dramatic three-wicket victory over England on the last ball of a reduced-overs final match of the ODI series in Stormont yesterday.
After defeats in each of the first two games, including a record low innings total of 45 in the second ODI hammering last Monday, Ireland were huge underdogs yesterday as they sought to deny England a whitewash.
They did so in sensational circumstances, claiming only the second ODI victory over England women in Ireland’s history thanks to stellar performances from Aimee Maguire and captain Gaby Lewis as well as Alana Dalzell’s boundary from the final delivery of the match which secured the win.
Ireland Women vs England Women
Ireland’s Rebecca Stokell and Alana Dalzell celebrate
Pic: INPHO/Leah Scholes
The two sides were earlier left frustrated by the weather, which first reduced the game to a 25-over affair — and then a 22 over contest — by the time play finally got underway.
Having opted to bat first, the tourists were thankful for Tammy Beaumont’s 52 from 42 balls, but it was Ireland spinner Maguire who stole the show with the first five-wicket haul of her career in just her seventh ODI.
Maguire made an immediate impact by bookending her first over with the wickets of Freya Kemp and Paige Scholfield before dismissing England captain Kate Cross for just 3 in her second set of six.
Ireland Women vs England Women
The England team lift the Ireland England international series trophy
Pic: INPHO/Leah Scholes
The younger of the two Maguires in the side, Aimee’s 5-19 came in just 3.5 overs and go down as the fourth best figures of any Ireland bowler in women’s ODIs.
Freya Sargent (2-38), Jane Maguire (1-17), Orla Prendergast (1-22) and Alana Dalzell (1-36) also contributed with the ball as England were bowled out for 153 after 20.5 overs.
With the aid of the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method, Ireland was then left chasing 155 for a famous victory.
Ireland Women vs England Women
The Ireland team celebrate Jane Maguire putting Emma Lamb of England out
Pic: INPHO/Leah Scholes
Captain Lewis and Amy Hunter made a flying start with the bat, putting on 51 for the first wicket until Hunter was dismissed for a run-a-ball 18.
The 23-year-old Lewis brought up her ninth ODI half century before eventually falling for 72 from 56 deliveries.
Nerves were frayed, though, when Leah Paul (22) departed, but Ireland still had their noses in front with 16 required from 18.
An excellent penultimate over from Lauren Filer, which cost just two runs, then left eight runs required from the final six balls.
A single, a two and then three wickets in succession meant Dalzell was on strike with one ball and four runs to win.
Her lofted stroke to long-on looked to be cut off by Hollie Armitage but the England fielder misjudged the bounce and the ball crossed the boundary to the delight of the Ireland dugout.
The two teams now head to Clontarf Cricket Club for the first of two T20Is on Saturday, with both matches broadcast live and exclusive on Virgin Media in the Republic of Ireland and TNT Sport in the UK.