Australia Women defeated Ireland Women by 10 wickets in the 3rd ODI of the 3-match series where Phoebe Litchfield and Annabel Sutherland hit unbeaten centuries. Australia again proved why they are considered the best in white ball cricket. They produced a team effort and helped their side seal the series against Ireland in the absence of Healy, Perry, and Lanning, which also showed their strength and depth.
Phoebe Litchfield achieved something remarkable in cricket recently. She became the second youngest Australian woman to score a century in a one-day international match. This fantastic performance helped Australia secure a comfortable 10-wicket victory against Ireland in Belfast.
During the chase for a target of 218 runs, Litchfield remained unbeaten at 106, while Annabel Sutherland scored an impressive 109 not out. They guided Australia to reach the goal in just 35.5 overs. With this win, Australia wrapped up the series 2-0 and concluded their northern summer tour after retaining the Ashes in a drawn multi-format series with England.
It was an important match for Australia, as they played without key players Alyssa Healy, Ellyse Perry, Meg Lanning, and Megan Schutt in an international game for the first time in 14 years. Despite missing some experienced players, the team showcased the potential of their young talent during this victory.
Kim Garth, an Irish-born seamer, performed well against her old team, taking 3 wickets for 34 runs. Ashleigh Gardner also impressed with her bowling, claiming 3 wickets for 38 runs.
In response, Sutherland and Litchfield stood out, both achieving their maiden white-ball international centuries. Sutherland’s impressive knock of 109 runs came from just 101 balls and included 11 boundaries, while Litchfield’s brilliant innings of 106 runs came off 114 balls and featured 14 fours.
Litchfield’s achievement was noteworthy as she became the youngest Australian woman, after Meg Lanning, to score a century in a 50-over match, at the age of 20 years and 101 days. She expressed her joy and said, “It means a lot. We spoke about trying to have a better start-up top, and I have been pretty dry in the runs column. So for Bellsy (Sutherland) and I to go out and win the game was pretty cool.”
The victory came after Alyssa Healy and Ellyse Perry were ruled out of the match and withdrawn from The Hundred franchise competition in England due to injuries. Perry sustained a knee injury while batting in Australia’s ODI win over Ireland on Tuesday, and she is expected to be out of action for up to six weeks. Healy, who battled through the Ashes with finger fractures, suffered another break in her index finger.
Australia is hopeful that both Healy and Perry will recover in time for their next international match against West Indies in early October. Meanwhile, Litchfield will replace Healy in the Northern Superchargers team for The Hundred.
Their absence from The Hundred is a significant loss, considering Healy and Perry are two prominent names in women’s cricket. Fellow Australian Heather Graham had to pull out of the tournament earlier due to a calf injury, and in the men’s Hundred, Mitch Marsh and Glenn Maxwell will also not be participating.
Comments 1