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Ireland Women’s World Twenty20 campaign started this morning in Sylhet with a loss against an impressive White Ferns side but there were a huge amount of positives for the Girls in Green to take from their first ever appearance in the tournament.
IRELAND WOMEN turned in a battling performance on their T20 World Cup debut before going down to New Zealand by 42 runs in Sylhet.

The White Ferns, one of the favourites for the tournament took advantage of a nervous Irish display in the field to rack up a formidable 171 for 3 in their 20 overs.

They were always in the driving seat following an opening stand of 116 between skipper Suzie Bates (68) and Frances McKay (51).

Both benefitted from reprieves, and it could have been a different story if a number of half chances had been taken.

Bates struck ten boundaries in her powerful innings, while McKay accelerated after initially playing the anchor role. She took 49 balls for her 51 which included six fours.

Eimear Richardson (2-32) accounted for both openers, but the bowling honours went to skipper Isobel Joyce who took 1 for 17 in her four overs, including the wicket of Priest for just six.

The experienced Sara McGlashan gave the innings late impetus as she struck three sixes and two fours to finish with an unbeaten 34 from just 13 deliveries.

Louise McCarthy opened the bowling for Ireland © IDI/Getty Images

Chasing a daunting total, Ireland were always positive in their intent, and they can be well pleased with their batting display, which saw them find the boundary ropes on no fewer than 17 occasions.

Clare Shillington struck six of those in an entertaining 28 from just 25 balls after the early dismissal of Emma Flanagan (5).

Isobel Joyce kept the momentum going with a breezy 24, and the innings was given more than an air of respectability by a positive and inventive undefeated 39 in just 28 balls from Cecelia Joyce.

The final Irish total of 129 for 6 saw them beaten but far from disgraced on their T20 debut on the world stage.

They have little time to reflect on what might have been as they are back in action on Thursday when they face the might of Australia, once again in Sylhet at 9.30am Irish Time.

To see the scorecard in full please click here.

Ireland XI: Shillington, Flanagan, I Joyce*, Tice, Scott-Hayward, C Joyce, Richardson, Waldron(wk), Delany, O’Reilly, McCarthy

New Zealand XI: Mackay, Bates*, McGlashan, Perkins, Priest(wk), Browne, Martin, Green, Jensen, Huddleston, Nielsen

Toss: New Zealand women, who chose to bat
Venue: Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, Sylhet
Umpires: Marais Erasmus, Ian Gould, Ranmore Martinesz

The @IrishWomensCric Starting XI for their opening #wt20 match v @WHITE_FERNS http://t.co/PIjDZv0JJK #COYGIG #IrevNZ pic.twitter.com/laGkWydWds

— Cricket Ireland (@Irelandcricket) March 25, 2014

Cricket Ireland
Cecelia Joyce top scored for Ireland © IDI/Getty Images
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