Thailand and Canada were forced to return to Malahide this morning to finish their Shield semi-final after rain stopped play yesterday evening.
Earlier in the day Zimbabwe got past Japan, but not before a few scares while chasing 58.
Extras (21) was top-scorer for Japan as not one batter managed double digits against a tight Zimbabwe attack. They were all out in the 19th over and it looked like Zimbabwe would run out easy winners when they were at 30-2 at the beginning of the ninth over.
But when Mary-Anne Musonda was run out off the first ball of that over, she started a remarkable collapse which saw Mai Yanagida take three wickets in five balls, two with the final two of the over resulting in a triple wicket maiden. At 30-6, things swung in Japan’s favour but Nonhlanhla Nyathi (6*), Precious Marange (13) and Josephine Nkomo (5*) saw their team into the Shield Final with three wickets and four overs to spare.
After a delayed start due to rain, Thailand won the toss and batted first in an 18-over-a-side game. They had five players who chipped in with double figures, the most notable being Chanida Sutthiruang (23*) and Naruemol Chaiwai (15) to finish on a creditable 92-6. Rain then put an end to play for the day and the umpires decided to come back in the morning.
Canada had a dream start to their innings, hitting 10 from the first over. Thailand soon reigned them in, though, and claimed their first wicket after a tight second over. The bowling side have been hailed as a top fielding side throughout this tournament and they squeezed Canada in the middle overs, and the pressure told after over 13 as the Canadian tried to accelerate.
At 56-3 after 13, they needed a further 36 from the final five overs. Thailand took five wickets in the following three overs – three of them run outs – to leave Canada reeling at 72-8 after 16. They lost no further wickets but managed only seven further runs in the final two overs to lose the game by 13 runs.
Thailand’s win means they will have another crack at Zimbabwe in the Shield Final tomorrow morning in Malahide at 10am. Japan will take on Canada again at 14.00 to see who can avoid the wooden spoon.
Cricket Ireland
Jenna Bartholemew will be hoping her team will avoid the wooden spoon
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