DUBLIN — Ireland Women secured a dominant 65-run victory over Zimbabwe Women in the third and final T20 International at Sydney Parade, sealing a 2-1 series win in emphatic fashion.
Clinical Ireland Outclass Zimbabwe
After losing the opening match by four wickets, Ireland bounced back strongly, winning the second game by nine wickets before delivering a commanding performance in the decider. Captain Laura Delany led from the front, contributing with both bat and ball, while all-rounder Orla Prendergast starred with a Player of the Match display.
Delany praised her team’s resilience, stating: "After the first game, we knew we had to step up, and the way the girls responded was outstanding. We showed our depth and character, and this series win is a testament to the hard work we’ve put in."
Prendergast Shines with Bat and Ball
Prendergast, who was named Player of the Series, played a pivotal role in Ireland’s victory. Her unbeaten 46 off 34 balls in the decider anchored Ireland’s innings, while her economical bowling (2/15) stifled Zimbabwe’s chase. Key moments included:
- Prendergast’s crucial 63-run partnership with Delany (34 off 28)
- Her tight spell in the middle overs, breaking Zimbabwe’s momentum
- Two sharp catches in the field, including the dismissal of Zimbabwe’s top-scorer, Chipo Mugeri (27)
Bowlers Seal the Deal
Ireland’s bowling attack proved too strong for Zimbabwe, restricting them to just 89/9 in their 20 overs. Seamer Ava Canning (3/18) was the pick of the bowlers, while spinners Georgina Dempsey (2/12) and Arlene Kelly (1/20) kept the pressure on throughout. Zimbabwe struggled to build partnerships, losing wickets at regular intervals.
Zimbabwe captain Mary-Anne Musonda acknowledged Ireland’s superiority: "Credit to Ireland, they outplayed us today. We had our moments in the series, but we need to be more consistent with both bat and ball."
Series Highlights
The closely contested series saw several standout performances:
- 1st T20: Zimbabwe won by 4 wickets (Mugeri 44*, Ireland collapsed late)
- 2nd T20: Ireland won by 9 wickets (Gaby Lewis 61*, Prendergast 3/12)
- 3rd T20: Ireland won by 65 runs (Prendergast 46*, Canning 3/18)
Looking Ahead
With the T20 World Cup qualifiers approaching, Ireland’s series win provides a confidence boost. Coach Ed Joyce emphasized the importance of building momentum: "This was a big step forward. We’ve identified areas to improve, but the squad is growing in belief, and that’s crucial ahead of the qualifiers."
Zimbabwe, meanwhile, will take positives from their competitive displays but must address batting collapses. Their next assignment is a home series against Namibia, offering a chance to refine their game plan.
Conclusion
Ireland’s series victory underscores their progress in women’s T20 cricket. With Prendergast emerging as a genuine all-round threat and the bowling unit firing, they have laid down a marker ahead of bigger challenges. Zimbabwe, though defeated, showed glimpses of potential and will aim to bounce back stronger.
As Delany put it: "Winning a series is always special, but the way we did it—fighting back after the first loss—makes it even sweeter. We’re not done yet; this is just the beginning."