First ODI, Uptonsteel County Ground, Leicester
Ireland 281-5 (50 overs): Lewis 69 (89), Hunter 62 (90), Stokell 54* (48)
England 283-4 (38.1 overs): Bouchier 104 (95), Dunkley 73 (61); Murray 3-58
England won by six wickets; lead series 1-0
England’s new era started with a dominant six-wicket win over Ireland as they cruised to their record chase of 282 in the first one-day international.
Opener Maia Bouchier struck a stunning 104 off 95 balls to secure England’s highest chase in women’s ODIs with 11.5 overs to spare.
Bouchier added 143 for the first wicket with Sophia Dunkley, who made 73, which laid the perfect platform before the centurion holed out to long-on with just 59 runs needed.
Alice Capsey and Freya Kemp made light work of those remaining runs with a quickfire stand of 54 off 38 balls to put England within touching distance, Capsey hitting the winning boundary to finish unbeaten on 41.
Ireland were poor with the ball and sloppy in the field, but nevertheless it was a brilliant start for England’s transitional batting line-up, which is without the recently retired Heather Knight and Tammy Beaumont, and in the absence of injured captain Nat Sciver-Brunt.
Despite their struggles in the field, Ireland earlier impressed with the bat to post 281-5, with half-centuries for captain Gaby Lewis, Amy Hunter and Rebecca Stokell.
Lewis and Hunter added 136 for the second wicket before Stokell’s counter-attacking knock of 54 not out from 48 balls provided a late boost, as England’s bowlers lacked threat in the middle overs, without Lauren Bell and Sophie Ecclestone, who are being rested.
It looked a competitive total at the halfway mark, but on a flat pitch offering little assistance for the bowlers, the gulf in class and experience was stark in the second innings.
The three-match series continues at Derby on Thursday.
