The Sunday News
Mehluli Sibanda, Senior Sports Reporter
IRELAND women yesterday went 2-1 up in the four-match One Day International cricket series against Zimbabwe when they defeated the host nation by a resounding eight wickets in the third ODI played at Harare Sports Club.
Zimbabwe were bowled out for 178 in 47 overs after they won the toss and chose to bat first. Ireland made 179/2 in 39 overs to win the match with 66 balls remaining.
It was a terrible batting display from the Lady Chevrons whose highest individual score was a 22-ball 26 runs by skipper Mary-Anne Musonda. Just to highlight how poor the home team was with the bat, the 24 extras given away by the Irish bowlers were the second highest score for Zimbabwe.
Leg spinner Celeste Raack picked up three wickets for 34 runs from her 10 overs, there were two wickets each for Cara Murray and Leah Paul while the duo of Jane Maguire as well as Laura Delany had one wicket apiece.
Paul and Gaby Lewis put on an opening stand of 145 runs to lay the foundation for an Irish win. Lewis top scored with an unbeaten 96 runs off 129 deliveries to walk away with the Player of the Match award while Paul fell for 63.
Off spinner Tasmeen Granger, on her ODI debut picked up the two Ireland wickets to fall on the day.
The two teams clash in the fourth and final ODI at HSC tomorrow.
Both teams are using the four-match series to prepare for the International Cricket Council Women’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier to be held in Zimbabwe from the end of next.
More action is lined up for the Adam Chifo coached Zimbabwean women before they head into battle in the World Cup Qualifier when they take on Bangladesh in three ODIs in November.
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