On September 11, 2024, England witnessed an unprecedented day in women’s cricket as their teams faced not one, but two crushing defeats in a single day. The England men’s team lost to Australia in the opening match of their T20 series, while the England women’s team fell victim to Ireland in the final ODI of their series. This loss not only put a damper on England’s day but also marked a significant moment in women’s cricket, ending Ireland’s 23-year wait for a victory over England in ODI cricket.
The Historic Win for Ireland
The last time Ireland’s women’s team had triumphed over England in an ODI was back in 2001. After over two decades, Ireland finally clinched a victory against their stronger counterpart, defeating England by 3 wickets in a nerve-wracking match. This remarkable achievement was largely credited to 18-year-old bowler Amy Maguire, whose outstanding performance played a crucial role in the win.
Rain-Impacted Match and Maguire’s Performance
Rain threatened the schedule of the third ODI between England and Ireland, leading to a reduction of the match to just 22 overs per side. England batted first but struggled tremendously, bowing out for 153 runs in just 20.5 overs. The downfall of the English batting lineup was primarily due to the sensational bowling of Amy Maguire, who bagged 5 wickets for just 19 runs in her 3.5 overs, creating chaos within the English camp.
Chasing Down the Target
With England setting a target of 154 runs, Ireland’s chase was nothing short of dramatic. Successfully achieving the target by losing just 7 wickets, Ireland celebrated their victory on the last ball of the match. England’s bowlers put forth a valiant effort, but ultimately could not prevent Ireland from making history.
Series Overview and Looking Forward
While Ireland managed to avoid a clean sweep by claiming the last match of the ODI series, England still emerged victorious, winning the series 2-1. England’s earlier victories—by 4 wickets in the first ODI and a staggering 275 runs in the second ODI—had set the tone for the series. As the focus shifts to the upcoming T20 series beginning September 14, England aims to regroup and refine their strategies ahead of the T20 World Cup scheduled for next month.
