Over the course of five T20 World Cup editions, it took Ireland 22 tries to win a game. In a low-scoring thriller in Bristol, they defeated West Indies, for whom a victory would have guaranteed a semi-final position. New Zealand, the reigning champions, are now back in the running after Ireland's victory, making their last group match against England more important. More significantly, it halted a string of near misses for Ireland, including a four-run loss to New Zealand last week, and demonstrated their ability to contend with and defeat elite sides.
 |
| Amy Hunter and Orla Prendergast scored 62 thanks to Amy Hunter's astute batting |
None of the West Indies' hitters were able to score more than Chinelle Henry's 27 off 21 balls as Ireland was economical with the ball, holding them to 128 for 7. Legspinner Cara Murray led Ireland's attack with a return of two for 13 in her four overs, while left-arm spinner Aimee Maguire grabbed two for 22, making Ireland's spinners the main culprits.
Ireland were on 37 for 1 after the first six overs and had a solid powerplay while chasing a small score. Amy Hunter and Orla Prendergast scored 62 off 53 balls for the second wicket despite losing skipper Gaby Lewis for nine. Prendergast pushed the West Indies on the verge of defeat with her second half-century of the competition. However, her dismissal caused anxiety, which persisted until Louise Little and Rebecca Stokell brought it home.
After the men's team defeated India in a Twenty20 International on Friday in Belfast for the first time in any format, Ireland's women's squad concluded a joyous day for their nation.
The West Indies were initially all or bust
Qiana Joseph, who was brought back into the team after missing the England match, got off to a great start when she smashed the third ball she faced to Jane Maguire at square leg. However, the ball was hit so fiercely that it burst through her hands for four. She attempted to end the over with a full-blooded sweep and top-edged to Leah Paul at short fine leg after hitting the next ball through midwicket for a second consecutive boundary. Hayley Matthews clipped Prendergast through square leg after edging her into the empty short third man's area in the following over. Shemaine Campbelle joined in by edging an Arlene Kelly outswinger for four in the third over. However, she then threw a leading-edge high, causing Hunter to flee and take cover. After batting further down earlier, Stafanie Taylor was at No. 4 and sliced the first ball she saw through point for four. The West Indies were down two wickets and 31 for two after three overs, with 24 runs in boundaries.
Dottin, Taylor, and Matthews start but don't get going
Before Matthews was given a short, wide ball by Jane and hit it through point for her second four, the West Indies were matched by four boundary-less overs following their quick start. In pursuit of another boundary, she moved from 10 off six balls to 22 from 24 before sweeping Murray straight to square leg, where Stokell took a straightforward opportunity. Before skipping down the track to meet an Aimee delivery on the full and hit it straight to Prendergast at long-on, Taylor had a far less fluid start, working her way to 16 off 26 balls.
After a slow start and two runs off ten balls, Deandra Dottin slid down on one knee to sweep Aimee behind square for four. She only struck one boundary. After reaching 21 from 28 balls, she received a full toss from Jane, which she hit directly to Prendergast at extra cover. Although it was considered lawful, there was a possibility that it might have been a no-ball for height.
The hunting is done by the hunter
With eight runs in the opening two overs, Ireland was off to a strong start, but when Hunter went looking, they still hadn't found the boundary. She attempted to smash Matthews over mid-off, but the ball went directly to Jannillea Glasgow, who missed a straightforward opportunity. Hunter, who was on three at the time, made matters worse by advancing on Matthews and hitting her for four between mid-on and mid-wicket.
She then drove Matthews over Cow Corner for six, giving Ireland two boundaries in two balls. Before miscuing Afy Fletcher to Taylor at one point in the 13th over, when Ireland was already in a strong position at 88 for 1, Hunter continued to score 28. She was removed after Ireland needed 40 runs from 42 balls.
Prendergast shines to help Ireland cross the last line
In Ireland's chase against New Zealand, she made a half-century, although they were defeated by four runs. Prendergast would have understood the significance of her surviving this period, as her removal caused a collapse. When Hunter left, she was 46 off 35 balls and hit her fifty from the subsequent delivery. For her seventh four, she struck Ashmini Munisar between deep mid-wicket and deep square leg. Prendergast demonstrated her back-foot play on both sides of the wicket later in the over when she threaded one through the space between cover point and backward point.
Prendergast was dismissed by Fletcher in the following over after being caught behind down the leg side, but he was successfully reviewed right away. When she attempted to knock Matthews over mid-wicket, she took one too many chances. However, she did not get enough on it, and Dottin caught her on the rope. As she exited the pitch, Ireland required 21 runs off 28 balls.
In Ireland's chase against New Zealand, she made a half-century, although they were defeated by four runs. Prendergast would have understood the significance of her surviving this period, as her removal caused a collapse. When Hunter left, she was 46 off 35 balls and hit her fifty from the subsequent delivery. For her seventh four, she struck Ashmini Munisar between deep mid-wicket and deep square leg. Prendergast demonstrated her back-foot play on both sides of the wicket later in the over when she threaded one through the space between cover point and backward point.
Prendergast was dismissed by Fletcher in the following over after being caught behind down the leg side, but he was successfully reviewed right away. When she attempted to knock Matthews over mid-wicket, she took one too many chances. However, she did not get enough on it, and Dottin caught her on the rope. As she exited the pitch, Ireland required 21 runs off 28 balls.
No comments:
Post a Comment