England secured their highest successful ODI run-chase in history at Grace Road, Leicester, comfortably overhauling Ireland’s total of 281/5. Opener Maia Bouchier spearheaded the pursuit with a dominant 104 off 95 deliveries, featuring 11 boundaries. Her aggressive performance, combined with a 143-run opening stand alongside Sophia Dunkley, ensured the hosts remained well ahead of the required rate throughout the match.
Ireland’s innings had initially provided a competitive platform, anchored by a 136-run partnership between Amy Hunter and Gaby Lewis. Both batters contributed scores in the 60s, hitting a combined 13 fours. Despite a brief wobble mid-innings where three wickets fell in 7.1 overs, a late surge led by Leah Paul and Rebecca Stokell—who finished unbeaten on 54—saw Ireland add 77 runs in the final 10 overs to set a challenging target.
England’s response was immediate and clinical. Bouchier and Dunkley accelerated early, with Bouchier hitting four consecutive boundaries off Jane Maguire in the sixth over. By the 10-over mark, England had reached 72/0. Dunkley reached her half-century in 40 balls, while Bouchier hit her milestone off 53 deliveries. The pair maintained a scoring rate exceeding seven runs per over, effectively neutralizing the Irish bowling attack.
Although Cara Murray claimed the wickets of Dunkley and Jodi Grewcock, the momentum remained with the home side. Bouchier reached her century in the 31st over before departing shortly after. Alice Capsey, who contributed an unbeaten 41, and Freya Kemp, who struck a rapid 36 off 22 balls, ensured there was no late collapse. Kemp’s cameo included four boundaries in a single over off Arlene Kelly, pushing England past the 250-run mark by the 34th over.
Murray finished as the pick of the Irish bowlers with 3/58, but Capsey ultimately sealed the six-wicket victory with a boundary in the 39th over. For England, Charlie Dean and Issy Wong each claimed two wickets during the first innings. The final scorecard saw Ireland finish on 281/5, while England reached 283/4 in 38.1 overs. The report also notes that the opening batter slammed 11 fours in her 95-ball knock of 104 and added 143 off 118 deliveries with Sophia Dunkley to put England well ahead of the curve early. The report also notes that to power the home team’s win in just the 39th over at the Grace Road in Leicester, dunkley scored 73 off 61 while two others who came after this pair were quick too – Alice Capsey 41* (40) and Freya Kemp 36 (22). The report also notes that ireland enjoyed an encouraging first half to the fixture as their innings was built on a solid second-wicket partnership of 136 off 152 balls between Amy Hunter and Gaby Lewis. The report also notes that they each got a score in the 60s and hit 13 fours between them.
