HAVING ALREADY SECURED their place in the World T20 tournament proper earlier this week, the Ireland Women’s cricket team won the Qualifier final against Bangladesh this morning.
Needing a single run off the final ball of the day to secure victory, thunder and lightning enveloped the ground during the final over to add to the drama.
However, 16-year old Lucy O’Reilly held her nerve to seal the win at the second time of asking after Bangladeshi bowler Salma Khatun tried to run out Laura Delany at the non-striker’s end before she bowled the final ball of the innings.
After a lengthy conversation between the umpires, Delany was ruled not out.
O’Reilly then made light work of the actual final delivery, driving the ball to mid-on to ensure a two-wicket win for Ireland.
Cecelia Joyce (32) and Clare Shillington (12) had given Ireland a great chance of victory by hitting 24 from the first two overs in response to Bangladesh’s 105.
However, after wickets fell at regular intervals throughout the run chase, it was left to Delany (26 not out) and O’Reilly (2 not out) to finish the job.
Earlier, Ciara Metcalfe took three Bangladeshi wickets for just 14 runs, a bowling performance that played a huge role in the Irish win.
