ABU DHABI – Eire Girls’s cricket workforce survived a nail-biting semi-final to beat Zimbabwe by 4 runs, and guarantee qualification to the 2023 ICC T20 World Cup in South Africa.
In a true all-round workforce efficiency, Eire’s prime six batters registered double-figures, whereas the bowlers remained composed below mounting stress – with stand-out bowlers Jane Maguire and Arlene Kelly taking 4 essential wickets between them – as Ed Joyce’s workforce held on to assert one of many two T20 World Cup spots on provide.
Having been despatched within the bat, Eire began off with optimistic intent – Gaby Lewis slapping the second ball of the day to the deep sq. leg boundary. Alongside together with her opening accomplice Amy Hunter, the pair punished any brief deliveries as they appeared to take the early initiative. Nonetheless, Lewis (11) fell within the fourth over after she top-edged one to backward level, with Eire 25-1.
Orla Prendergast entered the fray and appeared in fantastic contact as soon as once more – placing two fours and a six from her first 9 balls, as Eire moved on to 44-1 after the powerplay
Following a 31-run stand, Hunter (19) superior down Audrey Mazvishaya however was stumped in 9th over. Prendergast tried to reap the benefits of a second life after being dropped earlier in her innings and powered her approach to 28 earlier than holing out at cowl off the bowling of Kelis Ndlovu.
At 68-3, Eire’s innings was within the steadiness, however a number of dropped catches noticed Eire experience their luck. A quickfire 30-run partnership between Laura Delany (22) and Eimear Richardson (14), adopted by a 27-run partnership between Delany and Rebecca Stokell (26* off 12 balls) noticed Eire regain management.
Stokell’s late cameo noticed her smash 20 runs off the 18th over, as 37 runs flowed from the ultimate three overs – Eire completed on 137-6 from their 20 overs.
Jane Maguire claimed two early wickets within the Zimbabwean run-chase – Ndlovu (8) and Chipo Tiripano (4) – however started to get well with Sharne Mayers and Mary-Anne Musonda posting a 50-run partnership. That partnership was damaged by Kelly within the 13th over when she clipped the off stump of Mayers (39), and Zimbabwe had been 71-3.
Zimbabwe upped the scoring charge within the latter overs – needing a possible 39 from 30 balls, Cara Murray struck, eradicating Musonda (31) with a flighted supply that spun away from the right-hander leaving her stranded, and Mary Waldron duly accomplished the stumping.
Delany took the ball for the ultimate over with 15 runs required by the batting facet, however regardless of discovering a boundary with the second ball, Eire held on for the win.
Eire will progress to the Qualifier Last on Sunday towards the winner between Bangladesh and Thailand however have already secured qualification to subsequent yr’s T20 World Cup by way of immediately’s victory.
MATCH SUMMARY
Eire v Zimbabwe, T20 World Cup Qualifier, Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi, 23 September 2022
Eire 137-6 (20 overs; O Prendergast 28, R Stokell 26*; N Sibanda 2-24)
Zimbabwe 133-6 (20 overs; S Mayers 39, M Musonda 30; J Maguire 2-18)
Eire gained by 4 runs
