The Sunday Mail
Online Reporter
TWO rain stoppages and a defiant 47 runs off 53 balls from young Ashley Ndiraya were some of the talking points of the opening One-Day International between Zimbabwe and the visiting Irish women’s team at Harare Sports Club on Thursday.
The visitors took the opener by 10 wickets under the Duckworth Lewis Method and now lead the three-match series one-nil.
Ireland won the toss and put the Lady Chevrons in to bat, after which the hosts could only muster 170 runs from 44 overs after early morning showers saw a short delay to the day’s proceedings.
Ndiraya top-scored for the Lady Chevrons with 47 runs off 53 balls, which comprised of six fours.
However, the 31-year-old failed to get any partners during her over one-hour stay at the crease as Zimbabwe lost wickets at regular intervals.
Only the duo of seasoned campaigners Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano and Precious Marange offered some sort of resistance as they chipped in with 22 and 29 runs, respectively.
Freya Sargent and Cara Murray were the pick of the Irish bowlers as they each took three wickets, while seamer Ava Canning added another two.
The onslaught saw Zimbabwe dismissed for 170 runs, with the hosts failing to bat their allocated 44 overs.
There were more showers during the innings’ break, after which Ireland’s target was reduced to 110 runs from 21 overs.
Related Stories:
The visitors’ opening pair raced to the target, with wicketkeeper/batter Amy Hunter and Gaby Lewis finishing on an unbeaten 36 and 65 runs, respectively.
The unbeaten 65 runs off 39 balls was Lewis’ eighth half-century and saw her break Caitriona Beggs’ record for the most half-centuries by an Irish woman in international cricket.
The match featured a couple of other milestones, as the Lady Chevrons’ skipper, Mary Anne-Musonda, played her 12th women’s One-Day International to make her the most capped player in that regard.
The duo of seam bowlers Kudzai Chigora and Mitchell Mavunga also made their senior debuts for the Lady Chevrons.
The two sides meet again on Sunday for the second ODI match and wrap up the series on January 23.
The two sides will play another three-match series in the T20 format from January 26-30.
