Sophia Dunkley's impressive century helped England clinch an 114-run victory in the third and final One Day International (ODI) against Ireland at Worcester, securing a 3-0 series win. Dunkley scored an impressive 119 runs off 100 balls, marking her highest ODI score, as England posted a total of 291 all out. Ireland struggled to keep up, collapsing to 177 in 44.2 overs, failing to challenge England's formidable total.
Dunkley and opener Maia Bouchier started strongly, adding 61 runs in the first power play before Bouchier was caught by Gaby Lewis off the bowling of Kia McCartney when she looked set on 39. Dunkley reached her second ODI century off exactly 100 balls, leading a crucial partnership of 110 with Jodi Grewcock. However, Grewcock fell for 35 when Cara Murray took a soft catch-and-bowled. Alice Capsey was later run out after McCartney deflected Dunkley’s drive onto the stumps. Dunkley’s innings ended when she was caught on the boundary for 119, and England lost their final six wickets for just 31 runs. Cara Murray was the standout bowler, taking four wickets for 56 runs from her 10 overs.
Ireland's reply was hindered by a lack of scoring, managing only 39 runs from the first power play and losing Lewis, who gave Lauren Filer her 50th international wicket when she picked out Ryana MacDonald-Gay at fine leg. Ireland cautiously progressed to 80 for one before Tilly Corteen-Coleman dismissed Alice Tector for 29. Mady Villiers and Capsey also took wickets, with Capsey stumping Amy Hunter for 39. Another stumping left Ireland on 127 for four, with Rebecca Stokell missing a short ball from MacDonald-Gay and Prendergast hitting a skier off Villiers to Bouchier.
The Ireland tail offered little resistance, with their final five wickets falling for just 10 runs. Arlene Kelly, making her 110th and final appearance for Ireland, scored just two runs before being dismissed by Charlie Dean. Filer and Villiers were particularly effective, finishing with three wickets each, while Corteen-Coleman took two for 34 from her eight overs. Ireland were all out with more than five overs remaining. The match took place on a day when Ireland's Arlene Kelly received a guard of honor as she retired from international cricket.
England women seal 3-0 ODI series win over Ireland with Dunkley century
AI-rewritten from original reportingHow it works
sophia-dunkleyodi-seriesengland-irelandcenturyinternational-cricketretirement



