Ireland zoomed past Zimbabwe with a resounding 60-run win in the third T20I at the Harare Sports Club, on Tuesday. With a 2-0 lead coming into this game, Ireland was on the verge of winning this match without much hassle.
Batting first, Ireland posted 169/3 in their 20 overs quota as Orla Prendergast posted a knock of 69 and Laura Delany scored 54 with Amy Hunter chipping in with a 29-ball 42. In the subsequent run chase, Zimbabwe was restricted to 109/7 as none of the other batters barring Kellies Ndlovu, Loreen Tshuma and Chiedza Dhururu scored crucial knocks.
Ireland won the toss and decided to bat first. Amy Hunter and Gaby Lewis, the golden duo of Ireland opened the proceedings but were rocked early on with the latter falling for a four-ball duck. However, it was Orla Prendergast joining forces with Amy Hunter, rest assured the Irish team was in safe hands.
![Ireland were clinical across all departments. [Image: Cricket Ireland]](https://www.womenscricinsight.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/GFGHU1kXkAANxsk.jpeg "ZIM vs IRE: Ireland Steamroll Zimbabwe In The 3rd T20I 1")
After a 66-run partnership, Zimbabwe finally got the much-needed breakthrough as Nomvelo Sibanda dismissed Hunter for a well-played 42 in what was a simple catch executed to perfection by Nyasha Celeb Gwanzura.
We've lost Gaby early on but Amy continuing where she left off in the previous couple of games.
SCORECARD: https://t.co/jplhfyO64Q
WATCH: https://t.co/EHvAIbEBWX#BackingGreen ☘️🏏 #FuelledByCerta pic.twitter.com/ssx9xScqVZ— Ireland Women’s Cricket (@IrishWomensCric) January 30, 2024
Joining the prolific Prendergast was skipper Laura Delany and the duo once again inflicted on the hapless Zimbabwe bowlers. With Delany unleashing her attacking strokeplay as she crafted her way to a delightful 54, Prendergast’s stay at the crease came to an end for a majestic 69 and Ireland ended up with 169/3.
Zimbabwe did not have a lot to write home with their bowling performance but with Nomvelo Sibanda, Kellies Ndlovu and Loreen Tshuma scalping a wicket each, it wrapped up their bowling effort.
*END OF THE INNINGS*
The captain scores her second T20I half-century on her 100th appearance 🙌
OP with a top score of 69 👊
We finish on 165-3.
Bowlers up next.
SCORECARD: https://t.co/jplhfyNyfi
WATCH: https://t.co/EHvAIbE47p#BackingGreen ☘️🏏 #FuelledByCerta pic.twitter.com/iqH5KRpbxG— Ireland Women’s Cricket (@IrishWomensCric) January 30, 2024
The run-chase was always going to be challenging for Zimbabwe as the batting largely hinges on the top four to deliver and the match played out exactly in the same script. Kellies Ndlovu and skipper Marry-Anne Musonda started off the proceedings on a delightful note but before the blazing start could be capitalised on, Orla Prendergast got rid of Musonda.
The run-out of Pellagia Mujaji further complicated the proceedings. Even as Ndlovu batted on, she was given support from the other end by the wicket-keeper Chiedza Dhururu. However the 9th over saw Ndlovu fall for a well settled 36 and Zimbabwe was reeling three wickets down. Then, an interesting pattern emerged as for about 9 odd overs, the duo of Dhururu and Tshuma batted on with strike rates below 100 yet keeping the hope for a win alive.
But with Tshuma getting dismissed for 25 and the same over- saw Nyasha Celeb Gwanzura fall for a golden duck, the run-chase was getting out of hand. The following overs saw Precious Marange and Christine Mutasa fall even as Dhururu was at the other end overseeing this.
In the end, Zimbabwe ended up with 109/7 falling short by a massive margin of 60 runs. Ireland had a good bowling performance to back their batting as Louise Little scalped two wickets with Freya Sargent, Orla Prendergast, and Cara Murray pocketing a wicket each rounding up a memorable win and a 3-0 series lead.
Orla Prendergast is the Player of the Match!
Well deserved! Orla performed spectacularly today, 69 with the bat as well as claiming the crucial wicket of Musonda early in the second innings. 👏#BackingGreen #FuelledByCerta pic.twitter.com/5mUrEi94Mw
— Ireland Women’s Cricket (@IrishWomensCric) January 30, 2024
Brief Scores: Zimbabwe vs Ireland 3rd T20I
Ireland 169/3 in 20 overs (Orla Prendergast 69, Laura Delany 54*, Amy Hunter 42; Loreen Tshuma 1/29) defeated Zimbabwe 109/7 in 20 overs (Kellies Ndlovu 36, Loreen Tshuma 25; Louise Little 2/8, Orla Prendergast 1/6) by 60 runs.
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