After beating Essex in Felsted yesterday, Ireland lost to Staffordshire by six wickets on an overcast day in Stoke.
Winning the toss and choosing to bat first the side found themselves in a very similar position to yesterday’s game against Essex, with many of the top order failing to fire as the side were bowled out for 133, six short of the total they defended just 24 hours earlier.
Those six runs would not make any difference though, as Francesca James hit a quick-fire 52, which included five sixes, to ensure Staffordshire passed their target with 17 overs to spare.
After what was a positive start, Cecelia Joyce (9) fell first and within 20 minutes Ireland were 48-4 with Kate McKenna (1), Isobel Joyce (9) and Gaby Lewis (0) all following the opener back to the pavilion to decimate the top order.
Laura Delany came in with intent and Ireland seemed to be on the road to recovery when Kavanagh (36) was caught from the bowling of Molly Strano sparking another collapse that included yesterday’s hero Kim Garth (0) and Delany (34).
When Jenny Gray (4) holed out to mid-off to leave Mary Waldron stranded on four not out, Ireland still had five more overs to add to their score.
Amy Kenealy had opened the bowling against Essex and finished with figures of 3-17, but was unable to play in the second match of the weekend due to a stomach bug, weakened a bowling attack that had a lot to do for the second day in a row.
Without early wickets it was going to be a difficult task, but when Laura Delany picked up a run-out in the 18th over to leave Staffordshire 44-2 there was still a faint hope of victory.
James had other ideas though, and hit two of her first six deliveries for six, signalling her intent from the outset.
As heads began to drop in the Ireland camp the boundaries kept coming for James and she reached 50 with only her third four, having hit five maximums on a ground with short straight boundaries. She was out a ball later though as Ireland picked up two wickets in two overs, but the damage was already done.
The loss means Ireland have now played four, won two and lost two in their County Championship 50-over campaign so far. Shauna Kavanagh spoke to Cricket Ireland TV after the match in Stoke to talk about today’s game.
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Connaught
