IRELAND Women suffered a heavy nine-wicket defeat to the touring West Indies in the first of their three one-day international meetings.
A personal best innings from West Indian captain Hayley Matthews helped seal the win for the visitors, who lost just a single wicket in overcoming Ireland’s respectable total of 269 runs.
Being sent into bat Amy Hunter led the way for Ireland with an impressive total of 96 off 90 balls during more than twos hour at the crease. Her innings included 10 boundaries and a six as the wicketkeeper-batter hit out against a West Indies attack that recently made it to the T20 World Cup semi-finals.
Captain Gaby Lewis hit 39, Orla Prendergast recorded 30 and Louise Little 27 runs in support as Ireland looked on course to pass the 300 mark.
That was until Hunter fell when within touching distance of her second ODI century. Without her at the crease the run rate slowed and several more wickets fell to result in what many considered a slightly below par score.
Ireland needed an early breakthrough if they were to gain some momentum, but with no success.
Matthews hit a commanding 159 not out off 123 balls to clock up her 11th ODI century and in turn recorded her highest score in the format.
The captain didn’t do it all on her own though, Realeanna Grimmond hit 91 off 107 balls to notch up her second half-century in just the 21-year old opener’s sixth ODI.
Little did take Grimmond’s wicket late in the innings, but that was as much as Ireland could do as the West Indies ended with 270-1 from 38.4 overs.
The teams meet again on Sunday 12th July and Wednesday 15th July, both at Bready Cricket Club.
