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Series wrapped up!

Orla Prendergast and Laura Delany to the fore as Ireland claim T20I series victory

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HARARE, Zimbabwe – Ireland Women secured a T20 International series win after Orla Prendergast and Laura Delany both scored half-centuries in a 60-run victory over Zimbabwe. Ireland now holds an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.

Delany, playing in her 100^th T20 International – the first Irish woman cricketer to reach that milestone – finished unbeaten with 54*, which included six fours and two sixes.

After earlier winning the toss, Ireland captain Delany decided to bat first and take advantage of their batting supremacy during this series. However, things didn’t go to plan straight away, as Gaby Lewis was out for a duck from the fourth ball she faced.

The Irish re-grouped quickly, with Amy Hunter (42) and Prendergast (69) scored 66 runs for the second wicket. After Hunter departed in the tenth over, Delany came in at number four and along with Prendergast proceeded to score quickly, both batters posting half-centuries – remarkably both batters brought up their respective milestones from 37 balls.

On 69, Prendergast was finally caught by Nomvelo Sibanda, off the bowling of Kelis Ndhlovu with just seven balls remaining.

In reply, despite opener Ndhlovu scoring 36, Ireland’s bowling unit were on fire, as they restricted the flow of runs. Prendergast removed the ever-dangerous Zimbabwean captain Mary-Ann Musonda with just her fourth delivery to put the home side on the back foot. And once Cara Murray dismissed Ndhlovu in the ninth over Zimbabwe’s chances of victory diminished rapidly.

Back-to-back wickets from Pembroke Cricket Club’s Louise Little in the 18^th over saw the right-arm medium pacer claim career-best T20I bowling figures of 2-8 as Zimbabwe finished 60 runs short of their target.

The sides will meet again for the fourth match of the series on Thursday, 1 February. The match will be played under lights, with a 4.30pm start Irish time at the same venue.