Ireland Women’s captain Gaby Lewis continued her outstanding run of form with the bat, following up her 198 in her last innings, with a run-a-ball 63 to lead her side to the Evoke Super 50 Cup title at Bready today.
Lewis was in imperious form striking 5 boundaries in a near chanceless knock, which included being part of two high-scoring partnerships – firstly a 92-run opening stand with Bella Armstrong (49) and then a 71-run stand with Lara Maritz (43). The Phoenix opener finished the three-match series with 284 runs across three innings at 94.67 and a strike rate in excess of 119.
It wasn’t only a one-woman show, though, with Armstrong and Maritz supporting Lewis, while Laura Delany (40) and Alice Tector (39*) maintained a healthy run rate throughout – with the Typhoons finishing their 50-overs on 281-8.
In reply, the Dragons – without their star all-rounder Orla Prendergast (who is playing in England) – tried to mount a challenge but fell well short of the target thanks largely to an inspired spell of spin-bowling by Kia McCartney who snared four wickets. However, McCartney will gladly acknowledge the fantastically well-judged catch at long on by Laura Delany, diving forward, as more Delany’s than her dismissal.
Amy Hunter (40) top-scored, but after the diminutive keeper-batter fell via a top-edged sweep to fine leg, the Dragons fire was all but extinguished.
When Jane Maguire smashed through Lara McBride’s defences to knock the Dragons’ batters off stump back, the Typhoons were deserved winners by 83 runs.
The Evoke Super Series is proudly supported by DMG Media Ireland through their online publication, www.evoke.ie. We thank the team at DMG Media for their ongoing support for Irish women’s cricket.
