The New Zealand White Ferns secured a 10-wicket victory over Ireland women, despite a first international half-century from Gaby Lewis.
Under a blazing hot sun, Ireland captain Laura Delany opted to bat first on winning the toss. It was the White Ferns’ bowling which was on fire early on. Lea Tahuhu (2-22) and Leigh Kasperek (3-25) removed Shillington and Waldron, the latter stumped by Bezuidenhout, leaving Ireland 17/2 after 4 overs.
Cecelia Joyce (30) counter-attacked very well for Ireland striking three boundaries and sweep over the square leg boundary for 6.
After the fall of Joyce, Gaby Lewis continued the fine form she has shown so far this season with the bat. Lewis brought up her 50 in just 37 balls and when she fell for 61, (bowled by Kasperek) she had displayed her skills with no fewer than 10 boundaries in her innings.
Ireland lost wickets at regular intervals and Bezuidenhout was busy behind the stumps, taking 3 catches and effecting 2 stumpings.
Lewis was the last wicket to fall as Ireland posted 136 for 8 off their 20 overs.
On the resumption, the experienced, Suzie Bates, and the debutant, Jess Watkin, set about chasing the target at a rapid rate.
They cut, pulled, drove, lofted and crunched boundaries and sixes to all parts of the ground. Their combined unbroken partnership of 142 was a perfect combination of power and finesse.
Watkin top scored with 77* (11x4 3x6) but it was Bates 63* (10x4 2x6) who confirmed the victory with a huge 6 over long-off off the last ball of the 11th over.
It will not be forgotten that the White Ferns are the third-ranked team in the world and the Irish team fought to the last to save runs in the field, encouraging each other throughout. This is just the beginning of a long, important summer of cricket for this Irish squad.
You can also see a video of the shot that took Gaby to her 50 here.
T20 International, 6 June 2018
YMCA Cricket Club
Ireland 136-8 20 overs (Gaby Lewis 61, Cecelia Joyce 30; Leigh Kasperek 3-25)
New Zealand 142-0 11 overs (Jess Watkins 77*, Suzie Bates 63*)
New Zealand won by 10 wickets