ZIMBABWE women’s cricket team fell to the visiting Ireland side by 10 wickets via a DLS method in the opening rain-interrupted one-day international (ODI) at Harare Sports Club yesterday.
An early rain delay saw the match being reduced to 44 overs aside before a lengthy downpour forced it to 21 overs.Zimbabwe batted first and scored 170 all out in 42.5 overs and a revised target 110 in 21 overs was all Ireland needed to win the match.
Ashley Ndiraya fell three runs shy of a half century as she scored 47 from 53 balls before she was bowled out by Cara Murray. All-rounder Precious Marange weighed in with 29 runs, while Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano was out for 22.Ireland’s duo Freya Sargent and Cara Murray picked three wickets each for 29 and 32 runs, respectively.
The chase did not trouble Ireland a bit as they raced to the required 110 for no loss in just 13.1 overs. Gaby Lewis top scored on 65 from 41 balls, hitting 11 boundaries and a maximum.
Her fellow opener and wicketkeeper, Amy Hunter, was unbeaten on 36 runs from 39 balls. Zimbabwe bowlers toiled without success, recording a few missed chances here and there, but the Irish batters were pretty much on top for the duration of their chase.
Ndhlovu bowled four overs for 30, Marange bowled three for 24, while Kudzai Chigora went for 23 runs in her two overs. The ODI series comprise three matches. The second match is scheduled for Sunday and the final encounter on Tuesday at Harare Sports Club. The two sides are using these games as part of their preparations for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier set for Dubai in United Arab Emirates this year.
After the ODI series, they will square off in a five-match T20I series.
Zimbabwe Women’s ODI Squad against Ireland: Mary-Anne Musonda (captain), Chiedza Dhururu, Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, Ashley Ndiraya, Kelis Ndhlovu, Loreen Tshuma, Precious Marange, Nomvelo Sibanda, Michelle Mavunga, Kudzai Chigora
