NEWS
Follow UsOnly for the second time in the their history, Ireland beat England in a WODI as they triumphed in a last-ball thriller in Belfast on September 11 (Wednesday).
After Ireland’s brutal loss in the second ODI, it felt like the third ODI would be a repeat of the same.
However, the visitors said ‘no, not today,’ with a complete performance. Opting to bat first, England got themselves off to a steady start, at 99/3 in the 13th over of the innings. However, Aimee Maguire changed the course of the game, bringing out her ‘A’ game against the world-class English side.
The left-arm spinner struck with her very first delivery, which saw the both of Freya Kemp, who was stumped for a four-ball three. Five deliveries later, Maguire picked Paige Scholfield as England were suddenly now reeling in the contest.
England skipper Kate Cross, too, didn’t last too long before the left-arm spinner picked up her third wicket of the night. In the very next over, she picked up her maiden five-wicket haul, removing both Mady Villiers and Lauren Filer, reducing the visitors to just 153.
Chasing 155 in just 22 overs (rain-curtailed encounter), Ireland got themselves off to a good start before Kemp removed opener Amy Hunter. At 2/137, Ireland were within touching distance of a famous win before Lauren Flier turned the screw with two quick wickets.
Defending eight runs off the last over, Mady Villiers picked up two wickets in two, and England picked up three in three, as Ireland needed a miracle off the last ball. With four needed off one delivery, Alana Dalzell stood up and had the last say with a four.
It was only the second time Ireland had beaten England in the WODIs and the first time since 2001, as history repeated itself after 23 years.
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