ROTTERDAM — Ireland have officially booked their place in the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup Qualifier after a commanding seven-wicket victory over the Netherlands in their final group stage match of the European Qualifier at Sportpark Maarschalkerweerd.
The win, achieved with 21 balls to spare, capped a dominant performance from the Irish side, who finished the regional qualifying tournament unbeaten at the top of the table. The result ensures Ireland's progression to the global qualifier, the final step on the road to the main event in Bangladesh later next year.
Clinical Bowling Restricts Dutch Batting Lineup
After winning the toss and electing field first, Ireland's bowlers immediately applied pressure on the Dutch batters. The opening duo of Arlene Kelly and Georgina Dempsey set the tone with tight, economical spells, making scoring difficult on a pitch that offered some assistance to the seamers.
The Netherlands struggled to build any significant partnerships, consistently losing wickets at regular intervals. Key contributions from the Irish attack included:
- Arlene Kelly: The pick of the bowlers, finishing with impressive figures of 3/15 from her four overs.
- Laura Delany: The captain led from the front, chipping in with 2/20, including the crucial wicket of top-scorer Babette de Leede.
- Eimear Richardson: The experienced all-rounder provided excellent control through the middle overs, conceding just 15 runs from her four-over spell.
The Dutch innings never found its rhythm, eventually limping to a total of 94 for 8 from their allotted 20 overs. De Leede's battling 33 was the lone standout in a scorecard that highlighted Ireland's bowling discipline and effective fielding.
Composed Chase Seals the Deal
In response, Ireland's chase was a model of composure and calculated aggression. Despite the early loss of opener Amy Hunter, the middle order ensured there would be no dramatic collapse.
Gaby Lewis played the anchor role to perfection, finishing unbeaten on 44 from 43 deliveries. Her innings was a masterclass in chasing a modest target, blending sensible defence with well-timed boundaries to keep the required run rate firmly under control.
She found a reliable partner in Orla Prendergast (22), and the pair put on a match-defining 45-run partnership for the third wicket that effectively broke the back of the Dutch challenge. The winning runs were fittingly struck by Lewis, who sealed the victory and Ireland's qualification with a boundary.
Captain Delany Hails Team Performance
Irish captain Laura Delany was full of praise for her team's all-round performance and their focus throughout the tournament. "I'm incredibly proud of the girls," she said after receiving the winner's trophy. "We came here with a job to do, and we've executed our plans superbly across all our games. The bowlers set the platform today, and the batters showed great maturity to finish the job. To qualify unbeaten is a fantastic achievement."
She also highlighted the significance of the achievement for women's cricket in Ireland. "This is a big step for us. Reaching the global qualifier was our primary objective, and it gives us a shot at reaching another World Cup. The belief in this squad is growing with every performance."
Road to the Global Qualifier
With this victory, Ireland joins Scotland, who finished second in the group, in advancing to the next stage. The global qualifier, expected to be held in early 2024, will feature teams from various regions around the world competing for the final spots in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup in Bangladesh.
The Irish team's dominant display in Rotterdam, where they won all five of their matches, will provide a significant confidence boost as they prepare to face sterner opposition on the world stage. Their campaign was built on a foundation of strong bowling and powerful batting, with several players putting in standout performances.
Head coach Ed Joyce expressed his satisfaction with the team's progression. "The composure the team showed under pressure was excellent. We've talked a lot about executing our skills consistently, and the players delivered that throughout the week. This is just the first hurdle, but it's a very important one."
Looking Ahead
The focus for Ireland now shifts to preparation for the global qualifier. The team will look to build on this success in upcoming bilateral series and training camps, aiming to fine-tune their game against the world's best associate nations.
For the Netherlands, despite the loss, their second-place finish in the group behind Ireland was a positive showing on home soil, demonstrating the continued growth of the women's game in the country.
The victory in Rotterdam marks another significant chapter for Irish women's cricket, as they continue to establish themselves as a leading force in the associate world and push for a return to the sport's biggest stage.