England crushed Ireland by 67 runs in the first T20 in Dublin following a dominant all-round performance.
Set their record chase of 177, the hosts slumped to 109 all out as an inexperienced England side, featuring four debutants, took a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.
Only Orla Prendergast, with an entertaining 52 from 34 balls, offered any resistance for Ireland, with debutant Charis Pavely claiming 3-19.
In a fluctuating innings, England’s 176 was set up by Bryony Smith’s 58 from 24 balls in a blistering opening stand of 72 in 6.5 overs with Tammy Beaumont.
The tourists collapsed from 112-1 to 116-4 before Mady Villiers led the recovery with a 15-ball 35, only for the last five wickets to fall for six runs at the death.
Despite the collapses, England’s total proved beyond Ireland’s unconvincing batting line-up as they crawled to 32-3 after the six-over powerplay and only Prendergast’s effort saved them from total capitulation.
Ireland also squandered chances to restrict England, dropping Smith on 44 and Beaumont on 16, but fought back with flurries of wickets as Prendergast also led the way in the field with three catches and a run out.
Pavely, Georgia Adams and Seren Smale made their international debuts, with this Paige Scholfield’s first T20 appearance, adding to the six caps that were handed out during the preceding one-day international series that England won 2-1.
More to follow.