TRIPLE success for Belfast’s 18 year old Amy Hunter… named Player and Batter of the tournament as Ireland notched up a 5-0 series win over Zimbabwe in Harare with performances that elevate the Instonians player to 18 in the ICC Player Rankings for women’s T20I cricket.
In their final match of the series, Ireland Women produced a scintillating comeback performance with the ball – at one point taking 6-7 in 17 balls – as they beat Zimbabwe by 14 runs to claim a 5-0 T20 International series victory.
Orla Prendergast was named Player of the Match for the second match in a row after scoring 42 runs and taking 3-24 with the ball.
It was also a memorable day for 19-year-old wicketkeeper-batter Joanna Loughran who made her international debut – receiving her cap from her Leinster clubmate Ava Canning ahead of the game.
Amy Hunter made her international debut in May 2021 and has steadily found her feet at international level.
In ODI cricket she struck a record-breaking century on her 16th birthday, but it is her T20I form that has caught the attention of fans of late.
Amy’s last 10 T20I innings have been: 33, 44, 49*, 36, 10, 10, 68, 101*, 77* and 42.
470 runs at 67.14 – and all at a decent pace too.
In 2023, Amy maintained a Strike Rate of 110.34, but her start to 2024 has seen her strike rate reach 144.73.
With a T20 World Cup qualifier ahead, and a potential T20 World Cup appearance in October dangling as a tantalising prospect, form like this could be invaluable in the months ahead.
MATCH SUMMARY
Zimbabwe Women v Ireland Women, 5th T20 International, Harare Sports Club, Zimbabwe, February 2, 2024
Ireland 138-7 (20 overs; G Lewis 42, O Prendergast 42; K Ndhlovu 3-20)
Zimbabwe 124-8 (20 overs; M Musonda 52, K Ndhlovu 32; L Delany 3-17)
Ireland Women won by 14 runs
