/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2024/09/11/image-da533b81-b95b-4e29-9ee6-8648edffd370-85-2560-1440.jpeg "Ireland Women clinch first ODI win over England since 2001 as visitors win series in Belfast before T20 showdown – Eurosport")
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It left Alana Dalzell needing four from the final ball to clinch a famous win and get a foothold back in the series.
Dalzell smacked the boundary that Ireland needed, in part thanks to England’s Hollie Armitage missing the ball on the run, and secured a win that was slipping from Irish hands.
Gaby Lewis led the Irish assault with 72 runs off 56 balls. Lewis was caught out eventually by Lauren Filer’s pace, but the remaining Irish batters did enough cumulatively to get the win.
The trio of Amy Hunter (18), Orla Prendergast (11) and Leah Paul (22) pitched in on Ireland’s batting efforts.
Aimee Maguire was inspired with the ball, claiming five wickets as England scored 153 runs, and picked up the player of the match award.
“We kept going over how the past few games went. I tried to stick to the plan.
“We said to remain positive, keep going and keep the energy up.”
Captain Lewis added: “Playing against top nations, these defeats are going to happen. But we bounced back, credit to the girls.
“We’re really confident after the Sri Lanka series, which is the important thing.”
Tammy Beaumont led England’s efforts with a half-century of 52 off 42 balls. Armitage and Paige Scholfield pitched in with 15 and 21 runs respectively.
Maguire’s bowling then took over, taking out Scholfield before England could only muster 16 runs between their next four batters.
Ryana MacDonald-Gay stopped the rot with 17, but Maguire had already done the damage.
“It’s been three good games. Our girls did really well to get back into the game, but credit to Ireland they were the better side today,” said England captain Kate Cross.
Cross gave praise to Villiers, saying: “I thought Mady was brilliant; disappointed we couldn’t get over the line because she bowled fantastically. We’ve come over with an inexperienced side and we’ve won the series.
“We’ve got a couple of days rest now. It’s been a tough series – three games in five days, but we’ve got a bit of rest before we go to Dublin.”
With England winning the opening two ODI matches and clinching the series 2-1, focus now turns to Dublin on Saturday where they will play the first of two T20s in the Irish capital.