Ireland notched a commendable 81-run win against Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club in Harare, thereby sealing the three-match series by a margin of 2-0.
Although Ireland was dismissed for a lowly 180 in 48.1 overs, Orla Prendergast was the shining light as she contributed with a knock of 41 and Zimbabwe were clinical with the ball as Loreen Thsuma, Precious Marange and Lindokuhle Mabhero scalped two wickets.
In the run-chase that ensued, Zimbabwe was skittled for 99 in 30.5 overs as none of the batters could show any resistance to the Irish bowlers, especially Cara Murray who was at the forefront with a six-wicket haul.
![Ireland was clinical with the ball. [Image: Getty]](https://www.womenscricinsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/GEIhcXyXEAA-d0F-1200x801-1.jpg "ZIM vs IRE: Cara Murray’s Six-wicket Haul Brushes Aside Zimbabwe's Threat To Seal The Series vs Ireland 1")
We lost a couple of early wickets, but Leah Paul and OP combining well here now 👊
SCORECARD: https://t.co/jplhfyNyfi
WATCH: https://t.co/5afitY2Vuv#BackingGreen ☘️🏏 #FuelledByCerta pic.twitter.com/lJWm97nrk9— Ireland Women’s Cricket (@IrishWomensCric) January 23, 2024
The 16th over saw Leah Paul perish for a knock of 27 as Kellies Ndlovu got the better of her thanks to a catch taken to perfection by wicketkeeper Dhururu. Even as Laura Delany and Prendergast were stitching a partnership, Mabhero came back to get the prized wickets of the duo which dented Ireland’s prospects.
Further, the dismissals of Arlene Kelly and Georgina Dempsey ensured that securing a big total seemed out of the cards. Ava Canning’s 15, Cara Murray’s unbeaten knock of 12 and Jane Maguire’s 10 ensured that Ireland posted a total of 180 on the board.
Zimbabwe had Precious Marange, Lindokuhle Mabhero and Loreen Tshuma amongst the wickets that ensured Ireland’s collapse.
*END OF THE INNINGS*
It was a tough day with the bat, but our lower-order battled well and we finish our innings on 180 all out.
OP top-scoring with 41 👏
The bowlers up after lunch 👊
SCORECARD: https://t.co/jplhfyNyfi
WATCH: https://t.co/5afitY2Vuv#BackingGreen ☘️🏏… pic.twitter.com/3DrEfEqMnR— Ireland Women’s Cricket (@IrishWomensCric) January 23, 2024
Zimbabwe was off to a tricky start losing opener Pellagia Mujaji for 5 and with Chiedza Dhururu piling on the dots, her 43 balls stay at the crease and yielded just 11 runs which eventually came to a premature end with Arlene Kelly dismissing her.
A massive wicket, as Cara Murray takes the wicket of Zimbabwean captain Mary-Anne Musonda (23).
Game on 👊
SCORECARD: https://t.co/jplhfyNyfi
WATCH: https://t.co/5afitY2Vuv#BackingGreen ☘️🏏 #FuelledByCerta pic.twitter.com/lNIvfyflJP— Ireland Women’s Cricket (@IrishWomensCric) January 23, 2024
With the established batters, skipper Mary-Anne Musonda and Ashley Ndriaya further getting dismissed by Laura Delany and Cara Murray, Zimbabwe was six wickets down and recovery seemed far from impossible.
CARA MURRAY IS ON FIRE!
That's 4 wickets now 👏👏👏👏
SCORECARD: https://t.co/jplhfyNyfi
WATCH: https://t.co/5afitY2Vuv#BackingGreen ☘️🏏 #FuelledByCerta pic.twitter.com/iB1rzS13IC— Ireland Women’s Cricket (@IrishWomensCric) January 23, 2024
With Cara Murray doing the rest of the honours cleaning up the lower middle order and tail, Zimbabwe slipped to 99 all out in 30.5 overs handing Ireland an 81-run win.
WINNERS 👊#BackingGreen ☘️🏏 #FuelledByCerta pic.twitter.com/f0ZYBf0W7C
— Ireland Women’s Cricket (@IrishWomensCric) January 23, 2024
Brief Scores: Zimbabwe vs Ireland 3rd ODI
Ireland 180 all out in 48.1 overs (Orla Prendergast 41, Leah Paul 27; Loreen Tshuma 2/27, Lindokuhle Mabhero 2/31) beat Zimbabwe 99 all out in 30.5 overs (Ashley Ndiraya 25, Mary-Anne Musonda 23; Cara Murray 6/31, Ava Canning 1/8) by 81 runs.
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