Amy Hunter: Ireland batter turns 16 by becoming youngest player to hit international ton
- Published
Ireland's Hunter thrilled after record-breaking feat on 16th birthday
Fourth one-day international, Harare |
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Ireland 312-3 (50 overs): Hunter 121*, Lewis 78, Delany 68 |
Zimbabwe 227-8 (50 overs): Nkomo 66, Ndiraya 38; Granger 2-53 |
Ireland won by 85 runs |
Ireland's Amy Hunter celebrated her 16th birthday by becoming the youngest player to hit an international century in Monday's one-day game in Zimbabwe.
The Belfast schoolgirl notched 121 not out as Ireland made 312-3 which earned them a series-clinching 85-run win.
India's Mithali Raj held the previous record when hitting an unbeaten 114 against Ireland at the age of 16 years and 205 days in June 1999.
Shahid Afridi is the youngest man to hit an international century.
Afridi was 16 years and 217 days old when he hit 102 in a one-day game against Sri Lanka in 1996.
Gaby Lewis scored 78 runs, and Laura Delany hit 68, in Ireland's innings as the visitors produced a huge total which secured them a 3-1 series victory in Harare after they had lost the opening game.
Hunter said she felt "a bit surreal" after notching the record-breaking century.
"When I got to my hundred, I had no ideal what to do," said the thrilled teenager, who hit eight fours in her 127-ball innings.
"I didn't know whether to take the helmet off or keep it on. It was unbelievable."
After winning the toss, Zimbabwe's decision to field backfired badly as Hunter and Lewis produced a 140 partnership after Leah Paul departed when the Irish had reached 40-0.
Hunter and captain Delany then put on 143 for the third wicket to set up Ireland's big score.
In their reply, Josephine Nkomo hit 66 for the hosts but they were never in touch with the run chase as captain Delany and Sophie MacMahon both took two wickets.