Twitter Reactions: Sargent, Murray and Lewis power Ireland to ten wicket win over Zimbabwe

Ireland women beat Zimbabwe women by ten wickets in the first ODI of the three-match series on Thursday, January 18 at Harare Sports Club, Harare. After being put in to bat first, Zimbabwe were bundled out for 170 in 42.5 overs with Freya Sargent and Cara Murray picking three wickets each. In reply, Ireland chased down the target in 13.1 overs with openers Amy Hunter and Gaby Lewis seeing their team home in 13.1 overs.

After being asked to bat first, Zimbabwe captain Mary-Anne Musondahoped to get her team off to a good start but her plans were destroyed by Ava Canning who dismissed her in the third over of the innings for 2 (6). Following her dismissal, Chiedza Dhururu (16 off 32) and Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano (22 off 41) got involved in a brief 35-run stand to stabilize the innings.

However, they couldn’t extend their partnership beyond that as Arlene Kelly dismissed Dhururu in the 13^th over. At the other end, Freya Sargent got rid of Tiripano to give the third blow to the hosts. After two quick wickets, a 43-run stand between Kelis Ndhlovu and Ashley Ndiraya calmed the nerves in the Zimbabwe dugout.

Gaby Lewis was awarded Player of the Match for scoring 65*

However, the joy was short-lived as Laura Delany broke the partnership before it could hurt Ireland and picked her first wicket of the game dismissing Ndhlovu (10 off 23). From there on, there was no recovery for Zimbabwe with Freya Sargent (3/29 in 7.5 overs) and Cara Murray (3/32, 6 overs) running through their batting lineup and bundled them out for 170. Ashley Ndiraya was the top scorer for the hosts as she scored 47 off 53 balls with the help of six fours.

In the second innings, Ireland were set a DLS revised target of 110 in 20 overs. Their openers Amy Hunter (36 off 39) and Gaby Lewis (65 off 41) chased down the target unscathed in 13.1 overs and helped their side go 1-0 up in the series.