PRETORIA, South Africa – Ireland Under-19s Women’s captain Amy Hunter top-scored the Irish side started their Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup preparations with a two-wicket victory over the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the Tuks Oval.
Hunter (33 from 30 balls) and Abbi Harrison (26 off 19 balls) ensured Ireland started their campaign build-up positively after a good bowling display, restricting UAE to 104-7 from 20 overs. Zara Craig excelled with the ball, taking 2-10 from three overs.
After winning the toss and inserting the UAE, Ireland’s bowlers never the opposition batters settle into any sort of rhythm, with partnerships broken at regular intervals. Niamh MacNulty, Craig, Ellie McGee – along with a couple of run outs – taking care of five wickets in an eight-over spell in the middle overs with the UAE struggling on 71-6 after 15 overs.
Chasing 105 for victory, Ireland’s response was patient, led by skipper Hunter who struck two fours and two sixes in her knock.
Ireland will face Zimbabwe on Friday, 6 January in their next warm-up game, at 10am local time (8am Ireland time).
MATCH SUMMARY
Ireland U19 Women v UAE U19 Women, warm-up game, Tuks Oval, 4 January 2023
UAE 104-7 (20 overs; L Keny 39, A Supriya 14*; Z Craig 2-10)
Ireland 105-8 (18.4 overs; A Hunter 33, A Harrison 26; S Ramesh 2-9)
Ireland won by 2 wickets
See full scorecard
Gerard Mulreaney
Amy Hunter
No
Connaught
