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HARARE, Zimbabwe – 837 days since Amy Hunter hit a record-breaking century on her 16th birthday at the Harare Sports Club, the Belfast wicketkeeper-batter struck her second international century at the exact same venue – which makes her the only Irish women’s cricketer to score an international century in both one-day international and T20 international formats, and one of only three Irish crickets (men or women) to do so.
Hunter’s knock of 101* came off just 66 balls, featuring 13 fours and a six. There was late-on drama as she neared the milestone, she was on 99 not out at the non-strikers end with two balls of the innings to do, but a glanced single by captain Laura Delany got Hunter on strike for what was meant to be the last ball – but that ball went for a wide down legside – however, the diminutive wicketkeeper-batter remained calm and glided the last ball through square leg for two – raising her bat to the relief of teammates and fans alike.
Ireland captain Delany had earlier won the toss and elected to bat first and the opening pair of Hunter and Gaby Lewis (56 off 39 balls) got Ireland off to the perfect start, racing away to 52-0 after the powerplay. The pair combined to score a record-breaking T20I partnership of 138 to set the platform for victory.
Hunter brought up what was her second T20I half-century with a six off Tshuma in the 12th over, before Lewis fell to Nyasha Gwanzura a couple of overs later. Kudzai Chigora took two late wickets as Ireland Women finished on 191-3 – their highest T20I total against a Full Member.
Facing a difficult challenge in the run chase, Zimbabwe openers Kelis Ndhlovu and captain Mary-Ann Musonda stuck to the task, and scored 38 runs for the first wicket, before Bready Cricket Club’s Alana Dalzell removed Ndhlovu (20).
Ireland’s bowlers gradually turned up the pressure, as the run rate required increased, and despite Musonda’s stubborn 46, further wickets from Dalzell, Georgina Dempsey, and Cara Murray saw Ireland home, as the hosts finished on 134-5. Dalzell finished up with figures of 2-20.
The second match of the five-match series takes place on Sunday, 28 January at 11am Irish time at the same venue.
MATCH SUMMARY
Zimbabwe Women v Ireland Women, 1st T20 International, Harare Sports Club, Zimbabwe, 26 January 2024
Ireland 191-3 (20 overs; A Hunter 101*, G Lewis 56; K Chigora 2-46)
Zimbabwe 134-5 (20 overs; M Musonda 46, C Dhururu 22; A Dalzell 2-20)
Ireland Women won by 57 runs
