Issy Wong's maiden international five-wicket haul inspired England to a comprehensive victory over Ireland in the second ODI as they clinched the three-match series with a game to spare in Derby. Wong (5-33) recorded career-best figures for England as her five-wicket haul helped bowl Ireland out for 165 in 47 overs after the hosts inserted the tourists at the toss. Maia Bouchier (45 off 31) top-scored for England as they cruised to their victory target of 166 with 27 overs to spare, Dani Gibson (36no off 22) sealing the emphatic victory with a six.
England's victory secured an unassailable 2-0 series lead before the the teams travel to Worcester for Sunday's third and final ODI, live on Sky Sports. Ireland 165 all out in 47 overs (lost toss): Amy Hunter (64 off 96), Orla Prendergast (25 off 48), Leah Paul (23 off 43); Issy Wong (5-33), Mady Villiers (2-21), Tilly Corteen-Coleman (2-32) England 166-4 in 23 overs: Maia Bouchier (45 off 31), Dani Gibson (36no off 22), Jodi Grewcock (24 off 29); Kai McCarthy (2-45), Cara Murray (1-44) England inserted Ireland after winning the toss and struck after just 10 balls, with the razor-sharp Sophia Dunkley producing a direct hit to run out Alice Tector for three as she sauntered through for a single. Wong claimed her first wicket in the 10th over, bowling captain Gaby Lewis as Ireland slipped to 33-2 at the end of the powerplay.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player Mady Villiers had a hand in England's next two wickets, catching Orla Prendergast on the boundary off Freya Kemp before bowling the delivery that saw Rebecca Stokell hole out to Gibson at cover. Amy Hunter led the Irish resistance with a gutsy 64 off 96 balls, sharing a 47-run partnership with Prendergast before adding 57 with Leah Paul for the fifth wicket. But Wong ripped through Ireland's middle order in a devastating spell as Paul, Louise Little and Cara Murray all fell within 19 balls.
Tilly Corteen-Coleman mopped up the Irish tail with the wickets of Jane Maguire and Kia McCartney at the start and end of the 47th over as Ireland set England a modest target of 166 for victory. A 65-run opening stand between Bouchier and Dunkley laid the foundations for England's chase before a calamitous mix-up between the opened saw Dunkley run out on 20 after hitting two fours and a six. Jodi Grewcock maintained England's momentum at No 3 before Bouchier was caught off McCartney five runs short of her half-century.
England fell to 85-3 when Alice Capsey departed for one after being trapped lbw by McCartney, but they continued to score at will despite the loss. A 47-run partnership between Freya Kemp and Gibson saw them home from 119-4 after Grewcock was dismissed, as England got the job done with a staggering 162 balls to spare. "To win the game like that was phenomenal.
To be clinical with the ball [than the first ODI] and then chase the score down, it was brilliant." "It is pretty disappointing. It was a trickier pitch to bat on this morning. Amy Hunter did well to stick in but we struggled to build partnerships and put the pressure on.
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