On June 16, England continued their perfect start by beating Ireland for their fourth consecutive win – this time in a tightly contested four-wicket match at the Rose Bowl in Southampton. England had a relative stroll against Sri Lanka in their previous match, but this was an altogether more difficult proposition and, with the game hanging in the balance, they turned to their spin attack to secure an invaluable win once more.
Once Ireland were put into bat, it was always going to be hard from there as England’s bowlers wrestled control early on. The first timely wicket fell when Linsey Smith dismissed Amy Hunter after she misplayed a sweep shot. Things started to unravel soon after for Ireland when captain Gaby Lewis opted to play a scoop shot straight into the hands of a leaping fielder. The wicket-taking fun continued when Charlie Dean got in on the act, leaving Ireland at 38 for 3 at the end of the powerplay.
Ireland turned to Orla Prendergast to steady the ship as they lost wickets at regular intervals. The all-rounder hung on, and tried to rebuild with the middle order. But, at a vital moment England’s lead wicket-taker Sophie Ecclestone got rid of Prendergast to deny Ireland any real momentum. You had literally nothing to lose, having been reduced to 57 for 5 after ten overs in a virtual quarter-final with only two wickets left.
Only Leah Paul and Alice Tector managed to offer any resistance, but it was difficult for the batters on a pitch that offered early movement for the bowlers. Ireland’s total was bolstered by a late flourish from Louise Little. In the last over, she took everything in her stride and hit four-to keep the team finish on 118. Ecclestone took three wickets and was crucial as Ireland were kept within a sub-par tot
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Tipped to win comfortably after scoring 497 in their last Test innings against India, England’s chances of chasing down an achievable total of 119 were high. But Ireland’s bowlers made life hard instead. It was a good start for Danni Wyatt-Hodge, before Aimee Maguire took two wickets in two balls to dismiss both the openers. Orla Prendergast was later to dismiss Alice Capsey during the powerplay, as her brilliant all-round performance with bat and ball continued.
One Cennationau was at six overs, and England sat at 35 for three in the same dodgy Gfall. For some time, the match stayed in balance before the England middle order took control of chasing it down. England managed to achieve the target with four wickets in exchange even as they were put under pressure by Ireland’s disciplined bowling attack.
England are now two wins from two games; however, another damaging result means it is difficult to see how Ireland’s campaign can get back on track.