Women’s cricket: Ireland fall to 42-run loss

Ireland’s debut at the ICC Women’s World Twenty20 in Bangladesh yesterday ended in a 42-run defeat to New Zealand in a game where Isobel Joyce’s side recorded their highest T20 score against a major nation.

The New Zealand opening pair of skipper Suzie Bates (68 from 51 balls) and Frances Mackay (51 from 49) both benefitted from some poor Irish fielding and catching to put on a stand of 116 that was finally ended by Eimear Richardson as the experienced off-spinner taking both their wickets to finish with figures of two for 32.

Ireland skipper Isobel Joyce took the other New Zealand wicket to fall and her four overs went for just 17 runs. But some late hitting from Sara McGlashan (34 from 13) helped her side make 171 for three and take the game away from Ireland.

Clare Shillington hit six fours in her knock of 28 at the top of the order, while Isobel (24 from 28) and twin sister Cecelia Joyce (39 not out off 28) helped Ireland make 129 for five in reply.

Australia are next up for Ireland on Thursday and coach Trent Johnston believes his side will be better for having a game under their belts.

“I think tonight could have been, well hopefully, a bit of nerves with some of them playing in a World Cup for the first time. Let’s put that aside, we need to go out in two days time and put that right.”

The West Indies kick-started their World Twenty20 defence with a routine 73-run win over out-of-sorts Bangladesh in Dhaka. The Windies lost their Group Two opener to India, but were far too slick for the tournament hosts to collect their first win and keep their semi-final hopes alive.