Ireland women's team staged a remarkable comeback, recovering from a 275-run pasting to beat England in the third ODI, only for the second time in the format to avoid a series defeat in Belfast on Wednesday, September 11. From giving away 320 runs to getting shot out for 45, whatever could go wrong for Ireland, did in the second ODI and hence, a comeback like that with such a short turnaround between games is something that Gaby Lewis and Co can be very proud of.
England opted to bat first and senior opener Tammy Beaumont, coming off an unbeaten 150, smashed another quickfire half-century. Even though England lost a couple of wickets on the way, Beaumont kept the visitors afloat from one end, despite insignificant contributions at the other. However, the innings went downhill once Beaumont fell. Jane Maguire took the big wicket and Ireland got the opening they needed with England at 99.
The other Maguire, Aimee, sprung into action and England went on to lose the remaining seven wickets for just 53 runs. Maguire took five of them. Apart from Ryana Macdonald-Gay, who scored 17, there wasn't anyone who crossed double digits in the middle or lower-middle order.
However, given how Ireland's batting did in the second ODI, England were always in the game. Amy Hunter and captain Gaby Lewis, however, had other ideas. The duo got Ireland off to a brilliant start scoring 50 runs off the first six overs. Freya Kemp got the first breakthrough by getting Hunter out, however, Lewis continued on her merry run, completing her fifty.
Lewis stitched partnerships with Leah Paul and Orla Prendergast on her way before being dismissed on 72. Lauren Filer picked a couple of wickets before Mady Villiers caused a stir at the end dismissing a couple of batters on first-ballers. However, Ireland had enough in the end to get across the line. England did win the series, however, 2-1 with Beaumont taking the Player of the Series award.
