Ireland recorded an uncontested 54-run win over the Netherlands to knock them out of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup qualifiers. The tournament’s hosts, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), sealed fourth place in the semi-final, moving a step closer to qualifying for the main event in Bangladesh later this year.
Needing to win the match after the UAE’s big win over Vanuatu earlier in the morning or keep their clean sheet above that of the UAE, the Netherlands crashed to be beaten by Ireland captain Laura Delaney’s arm. He produced a match-winning performance with bat and ball at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Friday night.
At the end of the 20-game group stage, the United Arab Emirates surged ahead of the Netherlands in Group B with a net participation rate of +0.976 compared to the Netherlands’ +0.111. Both teams finished with four points each (two wins and two losses) in Group B. Ireland with four wins from as many matches ends the group stage at the top of Group B.
In the Group A match played on Friday night, Sri Lanka overcame a tough fight from the United States of America to maintain their unbeaten run of four wins in as many matches. The Chamari Athapaththu-led side won by 18 runs at the Tolerance Oval, will now face the UAE in the second semi-final on Sunday, with Ireland taking on Scotland in the first semi-final.
Holland vs Ireland
Scorecard
Ireland, who elected to bat first, lost their spinners Amy Hunter (1) and Gaby Lewis (10) in the first 14 balls of the match as Dutch pacer Iris Zwilling got her team off to a perfect start in the crucial clash . Orla Prendergast (19) and Delany added 38 runs for the third wicket to put Ireland back in the hunt. They landed with a stumble when they also lost Leah Paul for two, stuttering to 55/4 in 10 oversu over.
Ireland clawed their way back into contention thanks to a superb, unbeaten 89-run partnership between Delaney and Aimar Richardson. The two took the match back to the Dutch bowlers who had no answers in the second half of the Irish innings.
Delaney hit some scintillating shots in her unbeaten 70 off 45 balls (eight fours, two sixes), while Richardson contributed 34 off 32 (two fours). Ireland completed their 20 overs at 144/4. Taking two for 13 in her four overs, Zwilling was the most successful Dutch bowler.
Netherlands started their chase with confidence with openers Zwilling and Sterre Kalis adding 24 runs. The partnership broke down when Zwilling fell on the final ball of the fourth over, Kalis followed her back to the dugout in the sixth over. In-form Robine Rijke fell for a duck as 24 not out turned into 29 for three in 5.4 overs.
A 31-run, fourth-wicket stand between wicketkeeper Babette de Leede and skipper Heather Siegers revived the Netherlands’ hopes. Delany, at this stage, followed her brilliance to the delight of Irish and UAE fans alike. The medium pacer ran through the Dutch middle order with figures of 3/6 in two overs. The Netherlands were eventually bowled out for 90 in 17.3 overs, confirming the UAE’s entry into the semi-finals. Prendergast also took three wickets and Arlene Kelly took two wickets.
USA vs Sri Lanka
Scorecard
Sri Lanka, who won the toss and elected to bat first, struggled to score quick runs in front against some disciplined and testing USA bowling. Geetika Kodali took the huge wicket of Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu (4) in the match opener.
Athapaththu’s dismissal sent Sri Lanka looking for an early cleanup as Vishmi Gunaratne and Harshitha Madavi took time to settle. The two shared 49 runs for the second wicket in eight overs. Gunaratne fell for 25 (22 balls, three fours). Madavi (23) was dismissed off the next delivery, leaving Sri Lanka struggling at 55/3 in 9.1 overs.
USA. they kept the scoring rate in check in the second half of Sri Lanka’s innings. Middle-order batsman Hansima Kunaratne occupied the crease for the remainder of the innings, consuming 27 balls for her 25 runs (three fours). Nilakshi De Silva scored 21 off 29.
Sri Lanka ended their innings at 123/4. Saanvi Immadi, Aditiba Chudasama and Kodali return from a wicket down for USA.
The USA got off to a good start and were looking for an upset by 13u beyond their holdings. They slipped from 63/1 to 87/5 as the Sri Lankan bowlers, led by Athapaththu, made some crucial breakthroughs. The skipper led the charge, taking 3/14 in her four overs, she was later named the player of the match.
Udeshika Prabodhani and Inoka Ranaweera took one wicket each.
Opener Disha Dhingra (28 off 29 balls, four fours) was the top scorer for USA. Captain Sindhu Sriharsha chipped in with 27 (three fours) while Pooja Shah remained unbeaten on 20. They were eventually reduced to 105/6 at the end of their allotted overs, ending their tournament at the bottom of Group A after failing to secure a win in any of their matches.
Ratings in summary:
Match 19:
Sri Lanka beat USA by 18 runs
Sri Lanka 123 for 4, 20 overs (Vishmi Gunaratne 25, Hansima Kunaratne 25, Harshitha Madavi 23; Saanvi Immadi 1-14, Aditiba Chudasama 1-22)
USA 105 for 6, 20 overs (Disha Dhingra 28, Sindhu Sriharsha 27, Pooja Shah 20 not out, Chamari Athapaththu 3-14)
Player of the Match – Hamari Athapathou
Match 20:
Ireland beat Holland by 54 runs
Ireland 144 for 4, 20 overs (Laura Delaney 70 not out, Eimear Richardson 34 not out, Iris Zwilling 2-13)
Netherlands 90 all out, 17.3 overs (Babette De Leede 20, Heather Siegers 16, Laura Delany 3-6, Orla Prendergast 3-26, Arlene Kelly 3-9)
Player of the Match – Laura Delaney