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ALMERIA, Spain – An efficient display with the ball and a confident run chase handed Ireland Women a comfortable win by seven wickets over Scotland today – the win means Ireland holds an unassailable 3-1 series lead with one match to play.

Gaby Lewis anchored what turned out to be a positive run chase – her innings of 53* came from 51 balls and included seven boundaries. This was the 10th T20I half-century by the 22-year old opener who was playing her 75th T20I. Lewis skilfully worked the ball around, punishing anything over-pitched and playing the angles to force fielding changes which she would subsequently exploit.

Lewis’ 62-run stand with skipper Laura Delany (25 off 28 balls) broke the back of the run chase after Ireland found themselves at 29-2 in the 7th over chasing a small target of 92.

Earlier in the day, Scotland captain Kathryn Bryce won the toss and chose to bat first. However, Bryce was soon ruing the decision when T20I debutant Alana Dalzell quickly had two wickets to her name in an impressive spell of 2-8 off three overs.

Opener Darcey Carter’s 45 from 55 balls (4 fours, 1 six) was the only score of note as her near solo knock saved Scotland from a miserable day with the bat. Megan McColl’s breezy 19 from 15 at the end at least helped push Scotland towards the 100-mark, but the first innings belonged to the Irish bowling unit as they knocked the Scots over for just 91.

Dalzell was supported well by Delany (2-7) and Cara Murray (2-15), with Georgina Dempsey and Arlene Kelly chipping in for a wicket apiece. What was pleasing for the Irish coaching staff was undoubtedly the fielding commitment that backed up the bowlers. Catches were held and two run outs created by a team that looked well drilled and confident. Also impressing was 18-year-old wicketkeeper Hunter who seems increasingly comfortable in her role since taking the ‘keeping mantle after Mary Waldron’s retirement earlier this year.

The two sides are back at the same venue for the last match of the series tomorrow, with play starting at 2pm local time.

MATCH SUMMARY

Ireland Women v Scotland Women, 1st T20 International, Almeria, Spain, 23 October 2023

Scotland 91 (20 overs; 18.4 overs, D Carter 45; L Delany 2-7, A Dalzell 2-8, C Murray 2-15)
Ireland 92-3 (16.3 overs; G Lewis 53*, L Delany 25; O Bell 2-20)

Ireland Women won by 7 wickets

See full scorecard

Craig Easdown
Gaby Lewis batting
No
Connaught