Match Overview

Ireland secured a commanding 97-run victory against Zimbabwe in the first of two One Day Internationals (ODIs) at Stormont. This win followed their earlier sweep in the T20 series, demonstrating Ireland's dominance in both formats of the game.

Key Performances

Amy Hunter was a standout performer, scoring 43 runs which helped her surpass the 1,000-run milestone in one-day cricket. Orla Prendergast also reached a significant milestone, scoring 50 runs and joining the elite group of Irish women cricketers with over 1,000 runs in both ODI and T20 formats.

Match Highlights

• Ireland's Innings: Ireland set a challenging target of 288 runs, thanks to solid contributions from Sarah Forbes (54), Gaby Lewis (51), and Prendergast's half-century.
• Zimbabwe's Response: Zimbabwe struggled from the start, with early wickets falling quickly. Despite a resilient 48 from Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, Zimbabwe was bowled out for 191.

Bowling Impact

Ireland's bowlers were instrumental in the victory, with Arlene Kelly and Orla Prendergast each taking two wickets. Lara McBride also contributed significantly by taking crucial wickets in the latter stages of the match.

Conclusion

Ireland's comprehensive performance in both batting and bowling led them to a well-deserved victory. The teams will face off again in the second ODI at Stormont, where Ireland will look to continue their winning streak.