Ireland v Scotland T20 series: Hosts take series lead after dominant victory
- Published
Shauna Kavanagh was Ireland's top scorer with 37
Third Twenty20 International, Stormont: |
|---|
Ireland 134-8 (20 overs): Kavanagh 37; McColl 2-16 |
Scotland 93 (19 overs): K Bryce 45*; Murray 3-18, Prendergast 2-7 |
Ireland won by 41 runs |
Ireland beat Scotland by 41 runs in Wednesday's third Twenty20 international to take a 2-1 lead in the four-match series.
After levelling the series on Tuesday, Shauna Kavanagh's 37 helped Ireland set a total of 134-8 after opting to bat first at Stormont.
In reply, Scotland were bowled out for 93, despite captain Kathryn Bryce's 45 not out, as Cara Murray took 3-18.
The final match of the series will take place in Belfast on Thursday.
Taking to the crease first in warm and dry conditions, Ireland set about repeating Tuesday's victory over the visitors.
The hosts built a 31-run opening stand before Rebecca Stokell was bowled by Abtaha Maqsood, with Tuesday's player of the match Gaby Lewis falling eight balls later on 16.
Ireland captain Laura Delany was stumped by Sarah Byrce for 17 as Orla Prendergast, Lara Maritz and Leah Paul all partnered Kavanagh to help Ireland pass 100 for the second match in a row.
Kavanagh's innings was eventually ended on 37 in the penultimate over as she fell lbw to Katie McGill, and although Celeste Raack was run out in the final over Ireland posted a strong total of 134-8.
Scotland lose big hitters early on
Just like in Tuesday's defeat, Scotland were impacted by the loss of their big-hitting openers in the early stages of their innings.
Player of the match Orla Prendergast bowled the opening duo of Becky Glen, for a duck, and Sarah Bryce, for 10, to leave the visitors 16-2, but a strong showing from skipper Kathryn Bryce kept the scoreboard ticking over.
McGill was the only other Scottish player to break double figures with 17, and once she was caught by Ava Canning off Leah Paul, the Scottish wickets began to tumble.
Megan McColl was dismissed the following ball by Paul before Murray claimed two wickets as Priyanaz Chatterji, Abbi Aitken-Drummond, Ailsa Lister and Maqsood all fell for a combined total of 15 runs.
Murray took her third wicket with the final ball of the penultimate over as Stokell caught Katherine Fraser's high, hanging shot as the Scots were all out for 93.
Ireland cannot lose the series, the first for both sides since September 2019, and the final match takes place on Thursday at 11:00 BST.
'The UK is all I've ever known': Panorama looks at the impact of immigration status on those born or raised in Britain
Wild Weekends: Three youngsters embark on the wildest activities Scotland has to offer
