If you’re looking for heart-stopping drama, look no further than the ODI series finale between Ireland Women and England Women in Belfast.
The rain gods decided to have their say early on, reducing the match to a 22-over slugfest that packed more action into a few hours than some teams manage in a whole summer.
England had already bagged the ODI series with two strong wins, but Ireland wasn’t about to roll over in the final act.
What unfolded was a cricketing cliffhanger that would make any fan’s pulse race.
Rain Sets the Stage for a Shortened Showdown
The day began with heavy rain, cutting the game down to 22 overs a side. It might have been gloomy overhead, but it didn’t dampen the spirits on the pitch.
England, captained by Kate Cross, got off to a decent start, with Tammy Beaumont leading from the front yet again.
Her 52 off 42 balls was as classy as ever, but the rest of the batting order? Well, let’s just say they folded faster than a cheap deck chair.
England were bowled out for 153, thanks in no small part to Ireland’s Aimee Maguire, who bowled like she had a vendetta, claiming a fantastic 5-19.
A Final Over for the Ages
Chasing 154, Ireland’s openers Amy Hunter and Gaby Lewis got things going with a partnership that could calm the nerves of even the most jaded fan.
They put up a solid 90-run stand, and with eight wickets in hand, needing just 18 from the last three overs, it seemed like Ireland had it in the bag. But cricket, being cricket, had other ideas.
Enter Mady Villiers to bowl the final over for England, and the script flipped faster than you could say, “Hold onto your hats!” Ireland needed eight runs from six balls. Easy enough? Apparently not.
In a blink, Una Raymond-Hoey was run out, and moments later, Alice Tector and Jane Maguire were back in the pavilion, all in the space of three balls.
Suddenly, four runs were needed off the last ball. Up stepped Alana Dalzell, who must have nerves of steel because she smacked the ball with the confidence of someone who had just won the lottery. Ireland had pulled off a stunning last-ball victory.
England’s Captain Cross Keeps It Real
After the dust settled, England captain Kate Cross had nothing but praise for Ireland. “Ireland fully deserved their win and deserve a lot of credit for the way they played,” she said, showing a level of class that you’d expect from a seasoned leader.
Cross also took a balanced view of the series, saying, “I am proud of the way the team stuck at it.
Overall, we’ve earned a series win and qualified for next year’s ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, so we’ve achieved what we set out to do.” A bit of British stiff upper lip mixed with a dose of realism.
Sure, there are areas where England can sharpen up, but when you get that close to winning in such a chaotic final over, there’s no need to hit the panic button just yet.
A Recap of the ODI Series Drama
To sum it up, this ODI series has had a little bit of everything. England came out strong, winning the first match by four wickets without too much fuss.
They then absolutely demolished Ireland in the second game with a massive 275-run victory, leaving everyone thinking the third match would be another stroll in the park.
But Ireland had other plans. They showed some serious grit and fought back hard, proving that the ODI series wasn’t just a one-sided affair.
On to Dublin for the T20 Showdown
With the ODI series wrapped up in such dramatic fashion, the teams now head to Dublin for a two-match T20 series starting on Saturday, 14 September, at Castle Avenue.
Ireland will be buzzing after that last-ball thriller, while England will be keen to set things straight. If this ODI series finale was anything to go by, we’re in for more edge-of-your-seat action.