BELFAST – Ireland Women were well-beaten by a Tammy Beaumont-inspired England Women at Stormont today.
Having lost Sunday’s first ODI by four-wickets, Ireland needed victory to keep their hopes alive in the three-match series.
But those hopes were dashed by Beaumont’s unbeaten 150 and a ruthless England bowling attack, which set up a 275-run victory for the tourists.
After the hosts were put in the field, Orla Prendergast – who hit 76 with the bat and took 2-27 with the ball in the opening game – started superbly by bowling back-to-back maidens in the powerplay.
Ireland were unable to find an early breakthrough, though, as England opener Beaumont propelled her side forward with her 10th ODI century and second-highest score in this format.
Her 139-ball innings included 16 fours and a six, with Freya Kemp’s brisk 65 providing ample support in a 101-run partnership for the fourth wicket between the pair.
Beaumont reached 150 from the penultimate ball of the innings, taking England to 320-8 from their 50 overs. Freya Sargent (2-60) and Arlene Kelly (2-61) were the pick of the Ireland bowlers.
It left Ireland requiring what would have been a record successful run chase in women’s ODIs, with Sri Lanka’s winning pursuit of 305 against South Africa this year the only time a team has won chasing a score of over 300.
Their uphill task grew an even steeper incline when both captain Gaby Lewis (0) and Amy Hunter (2) fell to England skipper Kate Cross in the very first over of Ireland’s reply.
Prendergast (0) was unable to build on her excellent half century in the series opener and the subsequent dismissal of Leah Paul (1) reduced Ireland to 8-4 in just 3.1 overs.
They were 24-6 at the end of the powerplay and eventually succumbed to 45 all-out, their lowest total in ODI cricket.
Stormont hosts the third and final match of the ODI series on Wednesday before the two-match T20I series begins in Dublin on Saturday, 14 September.
MATCH SUMMARY
Ireland Women v England Women, 2nd ODI, Stormont, Belfast, Northern Ireland — 9 September 2024
England 320-8 (50 overs; T Beaumont 150*, F Kemp 65; F Sargent 2-60, A Kelly 2-61)
Ireland 45 (16.5 overs; U Raymond-Hoey 22; K Cross 3-8, L Flier 3-10, F Kemp 2-7, G Davis 2-19)
England won by 275 runs
See full scorecard