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Ireland Women posted their highest ever ODI total against England with 281 for 5, led by Gaby Lewis and Amy Hunter, but Sophia Dunkley and Maia Bouchier guided England to a comfortable six-wicket win in the series opener at Leicester.
Ireland Women began the three-match One-Day International series with their record highest total against England, but the home side chased down the target to take a 1-0 lead at the Uptonsteel County Ground.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, the Irish top order settled quickly and went to work building a competitive score. Captain Gaby Lewis and newly-promoted opener Alice Tector looked comfortable on a pitch that offered very little early movement. Tector struck two boundaries to help calm any nerves, but on 11 she feathered one to the keeper and Ireland were 14 for 1.
Lewis was then joined by Amy Hunter and the familiar pairing flourished, gradually building a partnership that positioned the visitors at 127 for 1 at the halfway mark of the innings. Both batters brought up their half-centuries in good time, with Lewis reaching the milestone in 66 balls and Hunter in 67 balls, and looked determined to convert their starts into big scores.
However, in the 30th over Lewis missed an in-ducker from Issy Wong and was bowled for 69, while Hunter fell in similar fashion for 62 a few overs later. Orla Prendergast flared brightly for a short time, striking 19 off 17 balls, but by the time the top four batters were all back in the pavilion the Irish innings had reached a crossroads.
From 149 for 1, the visitors found themselves at 184 for 4 and the English bowlers had their tails up, focused on wresting back control of the match. This did not happen, as Leah Paul and Rebecca Stokell put on a lively 84 in just over 70 balls for the fifth wicket. The Merrion duo took a toll on anything loose and ran hard as the total surged past 250.
Paul fell late chasing quick runs and in the end Ireland had finished on a competitive 281 for 5 from their 50 overs, the highest team total ever recorded by Ireland Women against England in the 20th ODI meeting between the sides. Any Irish hopes of an early breakthrough to build momentum were soon extinguished as Sophia Dunkley and Maia Bouchier compiled a first-wicket stand of 143 in 20 overs to set their side up for a comfortable run chase.
Cara Murray bowled with control and varied pace, deserving her three scalps, but the English batting line-up powered home to win by six wickets with just over 10 overs to spare. The two sides will face each other in game two of the series in Derby on Thursday
Ireland Women Cricket England Women Cricket ODI Series Gaby Lewis Amy Hunter Sophia Dunkley Maia Bouchier Cricket Ireland
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