Women’s T20 WC: Prendergast’s half-century powers Ireland to historic six-wicket win over West Indies

Bristol, June 27 (IANS) Ireland scripted history by registering their first-ever victory in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup as Orla Prendergast produced a match-winning knock of 63 to guide her side to a comfortable six-wicket win over West Indies in their final Group Stage match at the County Ground on Saturday.

Chasing a modest target of 129, Ireland remained composed throughout the innings before reaching 129/4 in 18.1 overs with 11 balls to spare. Prendergast led the chase with an attacking 63 off 44 deliveries, while Amy Hunter chipped in with a valuable 28 as Ireland completed one of the most memorable victories in their Women’s T20 World Cup history.

Ireland made a cautious start to the chase, scoring only three runs in the opening over. West Indies kept the pressure on early as spinner Ashmini Munisar conceded just five runs in the second over, forcing the batters to play carefully.

Amy Hunter then shifted the momentum in Ireland’s favour despite surviving an early chance. After being dropped off the first ball of Hayley Matthews’ over, Hunter made West Indies pay by smashing a boundary and a six to release the pressure.

West Indies eventually found the breakthrough in the fifth over when Munisar dismissed captain Gaby Lewis for nine off 11 deliveries. Lewis attempted an aggressive stroke but failed to find the elevation and was caught after a slow start.

Prendergast joined Hunter at the crease and immediately looked positive. She struck a boundary off just her third delivery and focused on rotating the strike alongside Hunter. The pair avoided unnecessary dot balls and steadily rebuilt the innings as Ireland reached 37/1 at the end of the Powerplay.

The duo continued to build patiently after the fielding restrictions. They collected only three runs from the seventh over against Qiana Joseph before Prendergast responded with a boundary in the following over to keep the required rate comfortably under control.

Prendergast soon took complete charge of the chase. She hammered Joseph for a four and a six in the ninth over before Ireland reached 66/1 at the halfway stage. Her aggressive strokeplay left the West Indies bowlers searching for answers as she regularly found gaps and punished loose deliveries.

She continued her fine timing by hitting two more boundaries in the 12th over, taking Ireland within touching distance of victory.

West Indies finally ended the 62-run partnership in the 13th over when Afy Fletcher dismissed Hunter with a well-flighted delivery. Hunter contributed a patient 28 from 32 balls, including one four and one six.

Prendergast, however, remained unfazed. She brought up a superb half-century off just 35 balls with a boundary on the first ball of the 14th over and continued to dominate the bowling attack.

Matthews eventually dismissed the Irish all-rounder after she attempted another attacking stroke. Prendergast walked back after a brilliant innings of 63 from 44 deliveries, decorated with eight fours and two sixes, having all but sealed the result for her team.

West Indies picked up another wicket in the following over as Leah Paul departed cheaply, but Rebecca Stokell ensured there were no further hiccups. She struck two timely boundaries in the 18th over and remained unbeaten on 16 as Ireland completed the chase with ease.

Earlier, Ireland produced a disciplined bowling display to restrict West Indies to 128/7 after opting to bowl first.

The Irish bowlers struck early when Aimee Maguire dismissed opener Qiana Joseph for eight after she failed to clear the infield while attempting an attacking shot.

West Indies captain Hayley Matthews briefly counterattacked with two elegant boundaries, but Ireland continued to strike at regular intervals. Arlene Kelly removed Shemaine Campbell after recovering well from an expensive start, leaving the Caribbean side under pressure inside the Powerplay.

Matthews and experienced batter Stafanie Taylor attempted to rebuild through a cautious partnership, relying mainly on singles and twos as Ireland’s bowlers maintained disciplined lines. West Indies reached only 40/2 after six overs.

Matthews looked set for a bigger score before Cara Murray provided another breakthrough. The skipper was caught at square leg by Rebecca Stokell for 22 from 25 balls after hitting three boundaries.

Taylor and Deandra Dottin tried to revive the innings but found scoring increasingly difficult against Ireland’s tight spin attack. At the halfway stage, the West Indies had crawled to just 54/3.

The pressure continued to build as Aimee Maguire trapped Taylor’s leg before wicket for 16 off 26 balls, leaving West Indies struggling to accelerate.

Chinelle Henry injected some momentum with positive strokeplay, finding the boundary early in her innings, while Dottin rotated the strike. The pair threatened to provide a late flourish before Jane Maguire dismissed Dottin for 21 off 28 deliveries, with Prendergast taking a safe catch.

Ireland tightened their grip further when Cara Murray removed Jahzara Claxton in the 17th over, reducing West Indies to 101/6.

Henry continued to fight till the end, striking three boundaries during an unbeaten 27 from 21 balls, while Ashmini Munisar added useful late runs to help West Indies finish on 128/7.

Brief scores:

West Indies 128/7 in 20 overs (Chinelle Henry 27*, Hayley Matthews 22, Deandra Dottin 21; Cara Murray 2-13, Aimee Maguire 2-22) lost to Ireland 129/4 in 18.1 overs (Orla Prendergast 63, Amy Hunter 28; Ashmini Munisar 2-28, Hayley Matthews 1-25) by six wickets.

–IANS

sds/bsk/