Ireland’s women cricketers recorded the country’s highest ever One-Day International score after smashing their way to 337 for eight to set up a massive 210-run over the Netherlands and seal the three-match series in Amstelveen on Wednesday.
Laura Delany and Leah Paul starred in the first innings with the bat, both notching maiden international centuries as part of a partnership of 236, an Irish record stand for any wicket. Delany was cruelly run out at the non-striker’s end for 109 in the 47th over, while Paul was also run out in the 48th for a stunning 137 off 138 balls, the highest individual score made by an Irish woman in an ODI.
It was the first occasion for the Irish women’s side that two players scored a century in the same innings.
The final total of 337 comfortably surpasses the previous best of 312 made last year against Zimbabwe, the game in which Amy Hunter became the youngest international centurion aged just 16. In Wednesday’s game, the Dragons batter was dismissed for 22 after Silver Siegers got one to shoot low and rap her on the pads.
Ireland’s total could arguably have been larger had Iris Zwilling not led a mini-fightback from the Netherlands at the death, dismissing both Orla Prendergast and Shauna Kavanagh in quick succession.
This result was never in doubt from the change of innings and Cara Murray’s five for 39 saw Netherlands all out for 127 to wrap up the three-match series with one more fixture remaining.
