BELFAST — Orla Prendergast delivered a match-winning performance with an unbeaten 67 as Ireland secured a two-game sweep in their one-day international series against Zimbabwe at Stormont, capping off a dominant display in the bilateral contest.
The 21-year-old all-rounder anchored Ireland’s chase of 198 with a composed innings, guiding her side to a five-wicket victory with 21 balls to spare. Prendergast’s knock, which included seven boundaries, followed her crucial 45 in the first ODI, where Ireland triumphed by four wickets.
Prendergast’s Match-Winning Knock
Prendergast’s innings was a masterclass in controlled aggression, blending patience with well-timed strikes. She arrived at the crease with Ireland at 58-3 and steadied the ship alongside captain Laura Delany (34), forming a pivotal 72-run partnership.
"I just wanted to bat through and take it deep," Prendergast said post-match. "The pitch wasn’t the easiest, so it was about rotating strike and capitalizing on loose deliveries."
Her innings was particularly notable for:
- Strike rotation: 42 of her 67 runs came in singles and twos
- Composure under pressure: She survived two close LBW appeals
- Finishing ability: Hit the winning runs with a boundary
Ireland’s Bowling Dominance
Earlier, Ireland’s bowlers restricted Zimbabwe to 197-9, with seamer Ava Canning (3-32) and spinner Georgina Dempsey (2-34) leading the attack. Zimbabwe’s innings never gained momentum, losing wickets at regular intervals.
Zimbabwe captain Mary-Anne Musonda top-scored with 48, but lacked support as Ireland’s disciplined attack maintained control. "We didn’t bat well enough in either game," Musonda admitted. "Ireland outplayed us in all departments."
Key Bowling Performances
Ireland’s bowling success was built on:
- Canning’s early breakthroughs (2 wickets in powerplay)
- Dempsey’s middle-over control (economy rate of 3.40)
- Sharp fielding (3 run-outs across the series)
Series Context and Significance
The sweep marks Ireland’s first ODI series victory since their return to international cricket following the 2022 governance crisis. The results push Ireland up to 10th in the ICC Women’s Championship standings.
Head coach Ed Joyce praised his team’s progress: "We’ve worked hard on our middle-order batting and death bowling. To see those areas deliver under pressure is extremely encouraging."
Looking Ahead
Ireland will face stronger opposition in their next assignment - a three-match ODI series against West Indies in June. Zimbabwe, meanwhile, return home to prepare for World Cup qualifiers later this year.
Prendergast’s emergence as a reliable middle-order batter gives Ireland added depth. "Orla’s shown she can adapt to different situations," Joyce noted. "That maturity bodes well for our future campaigns."
The series also marked a successful return to Stormont, Ireland’s traditional home ground, after hosting recent fixtures in Spain due to weather concerns. A crowd of 1,200 across the two games created an encouraging atmosphere.
With the 2025 World Cup qualification cycle underway, Ireland have laid down an important marker. As Prendergast put it: "We’re building something special here. This is just the start."