ZIM-W vs IRE-W Scorecard, 1st ODI Highlights: Ireland's Complete Performance Helps Them To Register Dominant 10-Wicket Win

In the first ODI match between Ireland Women and Zimbabwe Women played at the Harare Sports Club in Harare, Ireland Women won the match by 10 wickets. It was a magical performance team performance by Ireland which helped them defeat Zimbabwe singlehandedly. Ireland have taken a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. The start of play in Harare was delayed due to rain and the overs were reduced from 50 to 44.

Batting first in Harare, Zimbabwe Women were bundled for a score of 170 runs courtesy of a brilliant bowling performance by Ireland. Cara Murray and Freya Sergent picked up 3 wickets each and broke the backbone of the Zimbabwe batting lineup.

Ireland put up a team performance to defeat Zimbabwe singlehandedly

#IstODI | DEBUTANTS

Seam bowlers Kudzai Chigora and Mitchell Mavunga, who were part of Zimbabwe Under 19 team at the 2023 ICC Women’s Under 19 World Cup, made their debut today as Zimbabwe Women play Ireland Women. #ZIMWvIREW | #WeMeanCricket pic.twitter.com/NRVOe133WP

— Zimbabwe Cricket – Women (@zimbabwewomen) January 18, 2024

Zimbabwe Women didn’t start off well as their captain Mary Anne Musonda got out for 2 at a score of 4 runs. She was caught by Ava Canning and was caught by Laura Delany. Chieza Dhururu and Chipo Mugeri Tiripano tried to balance Zimbabwe’s innings and added 35 runs for the second wicket. However, Dhururu fell to Arlene Kelly for 16 runs from 32 balls, and Zimbabwe Women lost their second wicket for a score of 39 runs.

Chipo Mugeri Tiripano also didn’t last long and was dismissed by Freya Sergent for 22 runs and Zimbabwe Women lost their third wicket for 43 runs. Ashley Ndiraya and Kellis Ndhlovu put up a stand of 46 runs for the 4th wicket and were trying to bring back Zimbabwe in the match. However, their partnership was broken by Ireland bowler Laura Delany when she removed Ndhlovu for 10 runs.

New batter Nyasha Gwanzura also didn’t last long at the crease and she was removed by Cara Murray for 4 runs. Zimbabwe were 5 down for 93 runs. While wickets kept on falling from one end, Ashley Ndiraya was playing a few shots and kept her team in the match. However, she also lost her patience and became the second victim of Cara Murray.

Loreen Tshuma, Precious Marange, and Nomvelo Sibanda tried to add some runs from the backend of the innings and played innings of 14, 29, and 12 runs respectively. However, their cameos were not enough and they soon fell to Cara Murray, Ava Canning, and Laura Sergent.

Michelle Mavunga became their prey of Laura Sergent and she was dismissed for 2 runs and Zimbabwe’s innings ended at 170 runs in 42.4 overs.

🇿🇼 Women 170 all out (42.5/44 ov)

(Ashley Ndiraya 47, Precious Marange 29; Freya Sargent 3/29, Cara Murray 3/32)

Ireland 110-0 in 13.1 ov
(Lewis 65*, Hunter 36* ; Ndiraya 0-4 Mavunga 0-5)

Ireland Women won by 10 wickets (DLS method, reduced to 21 overs, target 110 runs) pic.twitter.com/gtWB2pJrEO

— Zimbabwe Cricket – Women (@zimbabwewomen) January 18, 2024

The start of play was delayed in the second innings due to rain and a wet outfield and the Ireland Women were set a revised target of 110 runs in 22 overs.

It was a cracking start by the Irish batters as openers Gaby Lewis and Amy Hunter put up a stand of 110 runs and helped the team win the match singlehanded by 10 wickets. Lewis smashed 65 runs from 41 balls and hit a total of 11 fours and 1 six. On the other hand, Hunter was also unbeaten on 36 runs from 39 balls. No Zimbabwe bowler was able to leave any impact and almost all bowlers went over 8 runs an over.