Eire Ladies are by way of to the T20 World Cup finals in South Africa in February, their first international occasion for the reason that West Indies in 2018.
It was a nerve-racking four-run victory over Zimbabwe in yesterday’s qualifying Semi-Ultimate in Abu Dhabi that clinched their place however the Africans will probably be regretting a collection of missed possibilities as Eire, after being put into bat, reached 137 for six.
Zimbabwe have been all the time behind the run-rate and when Cara Murray conceded simply 4 runs off the sixteenth over, which included the large wicket of captain Mary-Anne Musonda for 31, they wanted 35 from the final 4 overs.
However they saved preventing and when Eire skipper Laura Delany bowled the final ball, it was nonetheless sport on with Zimbabwe needing six to win. Delany stood as much as the take a look at and a full ball was solely scrambled for a single.
Opening bowler Jane Maguire was named participant of the match after taking the primary two wickets to right away put Zimbabwe beneath stress however the game-changing innings was performed by Rebecca Stokell who hit 20 off the 18th over, together with two sixes, and completed 26 not out off 12 balls.
Delany, in her post-match interview, additionally singled out the the batting of her quantity six, who got here to the center on the finish of the sixteenth over with solely 96 on the board.
“Rebecca seemed to be batting on a unique wicket and made it look really easy,” stated the skipper. “We’re thrilled to recover from the road and qualify for the World Cup and as a gaggle we must be actually proud.
“Our requirements slipped right now however lot of exhausting work has gone into right now’s efficiency. We knew it was going to be robust however we'll take the boldness from this sport.”
All the highest six Eire batters received into double figures, Eimear Richardson with the assistance of one among three dropped catches, however none may make a critical impression.
Gaby Lewis hit a six and was out subsequent ball, Amy Hunter, dropped on 10, got here recklessly down the wicket and was stumped and Delany was additionally missed, simply two balls earlier than shedding her wicket.
Other than that 18th over, the Zimbabwe bowlers did all the pieces that was requested of them and it was as much as the Eire bowlers to match them in the event that they have been to say the primary of the ultimate two locations in South Africa alongside the highest eight nations. They did simply sufficient.
Maguire was the comfortably probably the most economical and he or she ought to have had a wicket in her first over however a easy probability went down. Luckily it price solely seven runs and with Richardson and Arlene Kelly additionally bowling tightly, Zimbabwe have been 25 for 2 on the finish of the powerplay.
Opener Sharne Mayers, nonetheless, led the fightback, placing on 50 for the third wicket with Musonda earlier than Kelly ended the stand with the second ball of her second spell.
A second tough probability went down, which price 17 runs and racked up the stress, however ultimately Delany and Eire held their nerve.
Bangladesh accomplished the World Cup line-up after they beat Thailand within the second semi-final by 11 runs.
Scores: Eire Ladies 137-6 (O Prendergast 28, R Stokell 26 not out, L Delany 22, A Hunter 19) Zimbabwe Ladies 133-6 (S Mayers 39; J Maguire 2-18, A Kelly 2-27, C Murray 1-26). Eire gained by 4 runs.