DUBLIN – In the first match of Finals Day, one particular side shone out especially with both bat and ball to cap a tremendous week for the North Dublin club.
The day began with Waringstown winning the toss and batting. The toss itself had been delayed by thirty minutes due to wet conditions, but high winds helped to dry out the ground and no overs were lost.
Phoenix captain Ali Keenan later said she would have batted first. But the home side put in a remarkable performance with the ball that barely allowed Waringstown into the contest.
The Phoenix bowlers took wickets throughout, with a cluster falling at the end of the innings. Posting 99 most likely wasn’t enough, but having runs on the board can be crucial in a final.
To put pressure on the chasing side, Waringstown needed early wickets. However Phoenix got ahead of this by putting pressure on the fielding team.
They lost Nevedha Saravanarajan early on, but you still felt a lot would have to go their way for Waringstown to pull off a remarkable win in the final.
Alice Tector’s 40 off 24 definitely put her side at ease in the chase. Yet it was also 50 off 37 from Siuin Woods that meant the chase and title were never really in doubt.
MATCH SUMMARY
Phoenix v Waringstown, All-Ireland T20 Cup Women’s Final, Phoenix Cricket Club, 25 August 2024
Waringstown 99-7 (20 overs; A Caulfield 21; D Dalwood 3-16, A Foysal 2-23)
Phoenix 100-1 (11.3 overs; S Woods 50, A Tector 40; A Caulfield 1-9)
Phoenix won by 9 wickets
Full scorecard here