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HARARE, Zimbabwe – An eighth career ODI half-century from Player of the Match Gaby Lewis helped Ireland Women secure a comprehensive 10-wicket (DLS) victory over Zimbabwe Women in the opening game of their three-match One-Day International series despite rain intervening on several occasions at the Harare Sports Club.  

Lewis (65*) combined with her opening partner Amy Hunter (36*) for an unbeaten stand of 110 as they comfortably reached their target with 47 balls to spare.

Having won the toss, Ireland captain Laura Delany elected to bowl first and restricted the hosts to 170. Ireland’s bowling unit dominated in tough batting conditions – with Clontarf spinner Freya Sargent taking career-best figures of 3-29, ably supported by Cara Murray (3-32), Ava Canning (2-19), Arlene Kelly (1-22) and skipper Delany (1-15). Hunter’s two stumpings and a neat catch demonstrated the quiet but important role she has been playing with the gloves since taking over from the retired Mary Waldron last year.

Despite a lengthy rain delay during lunch, the game re-started with Ireland chasing a reduced DLS target of 110 off 21 overs. In the chase, Hunter played the anchor role while Lewis was the aggressor – the YMCA batter striking 11 fours and one six in her innings of 65* off just 41 balls – her strike rate of 158.53 was all the more remarkable given not a single Zimbabwean batter had a better than a run-a-ball strike rate.

Lewis’ single to win the match saw the visitors take a 1-0 lead – the two sides will meet again on Sunday, 21 January for Game Two of the series at the same venue, with a 7.15am start (Irish time).      

MATCH SUMMARY

Zimbabwe Women v Ireland Women, 1st One Day International, Harare Sports Club, Zimbabwe, 18 January 2024

Zimbabwe 170 (42.5 overs;A Ndiraya 47, P Marange 29; F Sargent 3-29)
Ireland 110 (13.1 overs; G Lewis 65*, A Hunter 36*; N Gwanzura 0-4)

Ireland Women won by 10 wickets (DLS)

• See full scorecard