Kate Cross Shines with Career-Best 6 for 30 and Unbeaten 38 as England Defeat Ireland in ODI Series Opener
Kate Cross delivered a stunning all-round performance in Belfast, taking career-best bowling figures of 6 for 30 and later scoring an unbeaten 38 to guide England to victory over Ireland in the first ODI. Despite Orla Prendergast’s valiant 76 that pushed Ireland past the 200-run mark, it wasn’t enough to secure a win.
Ireland's captain Gaby Lewis chose to bat on a bright morning but both she and opening partner Una Raymond-Hoey were dismissed early. Amy Hunter and Prendergast then stitched a 53-run stand for the third wicket. After Hunter's dismissal, Prendergast found support from Leah Paul, and the duo took the score from 74/3 to 151/4 before Cross returned to remove Prendergast. Ireland's innings unraveled from there, collapsing to 210 all out, with Cross swiftly cleaning up the tail. She capped off the innings with two wickets in consecutive balls.
In response, England found themselves in trouble at 32 for 2. However, a solid partnership between Hollie Armitage and Paige Scholfield revived the chase. Ireland fought back, dismissing both batters in quick succession to raise hopes of a comeback. But Freya Kemp, Bess Heath, and Cross steadied the innings. Cross, having set the tone with her brilliant bowling, remained unbeaten and fittingly hit the winning runs in the 35th over, sealing a four-wicket victory for England.
Brief Scores:
Ireland Women: 210 in 46.5 overs (Orla Prendergast 76, Amy Hunter 37; Kate Cross 6-30)
England Women: 211/6 in 34.5 overs (Hollie Armitage 44, Kate Cross 38*; Orla Prendergast 2-27)
England won by 4 wickets.
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