Rebecca Stokell and Amy Hunter will each remember special moments despite Ireland suffering a second defeat in match two of their three-game one day international series with West Indies.
Hunter’s total of 67 from 87 balls was her second highest innings in an ODI while for Stokell there was a new personal best of 57 from the 76 deliveries that she faced.
Together they put on a new Irish fourth-wicket partnership of 106 and those two, combined with Leah Paul’s 32 off 30, which was the best strike rate on the day, took Ireland to 241 after their 50 overs That was 18 less than they recorded in losing the first game of the series and left Ireland a tough task to take out the in-form West Indies batting line up.
The fact that the tourists were able to surpass that total with 11 overs to spare was a sign of their dominance, while Ireland will look at the fact they were able to take four wickets as something of a positive.
Rebecca Stokell on her way to a new personal ODI record of 57
Ireland made an early breakthrough, which was just what they needed to give rise to belief that they could pull off a victory, when Realeanna Grimmond was caught behind off Orla Prendergast at the end of the first over.
Despite losing her opening partner, with whom she shared an opening stand of 258 in the first game, West Indies captain Hayley Matthews followed up her unbeaten 159 from the first meeting with another century before getting out immediately after hitting the 100 mark. The fact that she reached that total off just 92 balls with 14 fours and two sixes could be considered even more impressive than her earlier knock.
Stafanie Taylor replaced Grimmond at the crease and helped add 158 for the second wicket before Matthews scooped the ball high from Louise Little’s delivery and Cara Murray had a straightforward catch.
Aimee Maguire took two wickets in the space of three balls, seeing off Deandra Dottin to a full toss that was caught as it came out of the sky by Murray before Jannillea Glasgow hit the ball into the grateful grasp of Georgina Dempsey.
Taylot then went on to complete her ninth ODI century in equally Matthews in reaching 100 not out before Alana Dalzell delivered a no-ball that won the match.
The final match of the three-game series is on Wednesday 15th July, again at Bready Cricket Club.
