Maia Bouchier struck her maiden ODI century as England completed their highest successful run chase in Women’s ODIs, defeating Ireland by six wickets in the opening match of the three-match series in Leicester.
Chasing 282, England reached 283/4 in just 38.1 overs after Bouchier’s outstanding 104 off 95 balls and an explosive opening partnership with Sophia Dunkley.
Ireland Post Competitive 281
Ireland recovered well after losing Alice Tector early, thanks to a 136-run second-wicket partnership between captain Gaby Lewis and Amy Hunter.
Lewis scored 69 from 78 deliveries, while Hunter added 62. Rebecca Stokell then provided the late acceleration with an unbeaten 51 from just 43 balls, helping Ireland finish on 281/5.
Charlie Dean was England’s most successful bowler with 2/42, while Issy Wong also claimed two wickets after removing both Lewis and Alice Tector.
Bouchier and Dunkley Dominate the Chase
England’s new opening pair immediately took control of the chase. Bouchier and Dunkley raced to a 143-run stand in only 19.4 overs, putting Ireland’s bowlers under relentless pressure.
Dunkley blasted 73 from 61 balls, hitting 13 boundaries before Cara Murray produced a sharp return catch to dismiss her. Murray struck again shortly afterwards to bowl Jodi Grewcock for nine, briefly giving Ireland hope.
Bouchier continued to dominate, reaching her century from just 91 deliveries before eventually falling for 104, an innings featuring 11 fours that left England needing only 59 more runs.
Capsey Finishes the Job
Alice Capsey and Freya Kemp ensured there would be no late collapse with a quickfire 54-run partnership. Kemp made an aggressive 36 from 22 balls before becoming Murray’s third wicket.
Capsey remained unbeaten on 41 from 40 deliveries, while Dani Gibson scored the winning run as England completed the chase with 71 balls to spare.
Cara Murray was Ireland’s standout bowler with figures of 3/58, but the rest of the attack struggled to contain England’s aggressive batting.
The victory gave England a 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series and marked the highest successful run chase in the team’s ODI history.
