Essie Wong took her first five wickets in international cricket to give England a comfortable six-wicket win in the second ODI against Ireland in Derby on Thursday, securing an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series in the process.
Wong’s exploits were topped by a clinical bowling display by England, who fired Ireland out for a meager 165 before the batsmen, led by Maya Bouchier’s 31-ball 45, got the job done in 27 overs. It was a marked improvement by England’s bowlers after they conceded 281 in the series opener at Leicester, although they completed their highest ODI success chase.
Ireland were rocked early after being asked to bat first, with Alice Tector run out in the second over before Wong’s skipper Gabby Lewis was bowled for 19 at the end of the Powerplay. There were two noteworthy partnerships for the visitors – a 45-run stand for the third wicket between Amy Hunter and Orla Prendergast, and a 57-run stand for the fifth wicket between Hunter and Leah Ball. Maddy Villiers’ double strike removed Prendergast and Rebecca Stockel in quick succession before Hunter, who held the innings together with a knock of 64, found an able ally in Paul.
Things soon went pear-shaped as Ireland lost their last six wickets for 25 runs of 140/4. Wong was the chief wrecker, bowling Paul before removing Louise Little and Kara Murray cheaply. Fittingly, she dismissed Hunter for her fifth wicket before Tilly Curtin-Coleman cleared the tail as only reward for an economical spell in which she conceded just 32 runs in ten overs.
In response, Bouchier picked up where she left off at Leicester and England got off to a flying start. She scalped four boundaries from Jane Maguire before Sophia Dunkley hit a six and a four from Prendergast as England passed fifty in seven overs. Dunkley was soon run out but Bouchier kept putting in more boundaries until she was dismissed off the last ball of the Powerplay.
Alice Capsey was sent off LBW but cameos from Jodi Grewcock and Freya Kemp kept England in cruise control. Grewcock couldn’t see the team to the finish line, but Danielle Gibson enjoyed some fun with an unbeaten 22-ball 36. Ireland’s problems were summed up by the fact that they fielded 11 wides, failing to command the control required while defending a mediocre result.
Summary scores: Ireland Women’s 165 all out in 47 overs (Amy Hunter 64; Essie Wong 5-33, Maddy Villiers 2-21, Tilly Curtin-Coleman 2-32) lost to England Women’s 166/4 in 23 overs (Maya Bouchier 45, Danielle Gibson 36*; Kia McCartney 2-45) by 6 wickets.
