Ireland Women completed a 3-1 series win in the four-match T20I series following their six-wicket win against Scotland Women at the Civil Service Cricket Club, Belfast, on 27 May. After losing the opening encounter, Laura Delany’s side won three games on the trot to wrap up the series in their names.
Earlier, Scotland managed to post 99/7 after Kathryn Bryce won the toss and opted to bat. Orla Prendergast (4-2-16-1) and Ava Canning (2-0-6-1) once again set the tone for Ireland with the new ball as Scotland's woes with the bat continued.
Apart from Megan McColl (30*) and Kathryn (22), no Scotland batter even crossed the double-digit mark. Leah Paul (3-1-12-3) did the most damage. Her three wickets came in just four balls. Delaney also had a wicket to her name, of the dangerous Katie McGill (9). The other Scottish batter, Abbi Aitken Drummond (7), was run out by Lara Maritz.
Chasing 100, Ireland lost Rebecca Stokell (4) in the opening over of McGill. Gaby Lewis and Delany then held the fort and forged 77 runs in 61 balls for the second wicket. In the 12th over, Kathryn came back and got rid of both set batters. While Lewis fell a run short of her well-deserved fifty, Delany went back to the pavilion after scoring 27.
However, it was too late for Scotland to counterattack. Irish ’keeper Shauna Kavanagh (13*) took the hosts past the finishing line with 37 balls to spare. Lewis was adjudged Player of the Match for her excellent contribution at the top-order, while left-arm seamer Paul bagged the Player of the Series award after claiming nine wickets at an exceptional average of 4.44.
Brief Scores:
Scotland Women 99/7 in 20 overs (Megan McColl 30*, Kathryn Bryce 22; Leah Paul 3-12) lost to Ireland Women 101/4 in 13.5 overs (Gaby Lewis 49, Laura Delany 27; Kathryn Bryce 2-23) by six wickets with 37 balls to spare. Player of the Match: Gaby Lewis.
Ireland Women won the series 3-1. Player of the Series: Leah Paul.