Ireland chased down 232 with ease to claim their first win in Division 2 of the ECB Women’s County Championship.
Ireland captain Isobel Joyce and Laura Delany shared a second wicket partnership of 178 to see Ireland home at a canter against Devonshire in the ECB County Championship Division 2 today.
Having lost the toss, Ireland were put into the field and found it difficult to take wickets. Louise McCarthy and Amy Kenealy bowled well up front but couldn’t find a way to make a breakthrough.
Shauna Kavanagh bowled first change and dismissed Amara Carr in her first over. Aylish Cranstone and Birch then settled in for the long haul and enjoyed a partnership of 157 before Cranstone skied a pull shot back to bowler McCarthy in her second spell.
Former England international Rosalie Birch scored a classy 102 not out to help her team post a competitive total of 232 but had little in the way of support once Cranstone was dismissed. The returning Eimear Richardson was the pick of the bowlers with her figures of 10-0-37-1.
Ireland began well with the bat. Clare Shillington was in her usual belligerent form and scored 29 in quick time before being bowled in the ninth over. Her wicket brought Delany to the crease and after a few scares early on with their running between the wickets, Joyce (98) and Delany (66) went about their business well in a superb 172 run 2nd wicket partnership that saw Ireland home to a very comfortable 9 win victory with over 11 overs to spare.
The win puts Ireland on the front foot ahead of their tie against Wales in Swansea tomorrow. 
Cricket Ireland
Yes
