Ireland women claimed their first ODI victory over England for 23 years in a last ball thriller after Alana Dalzell hit a four off the final delivery, taking advantage of a misfield from Hollie Armitage on the boundary.
The match was shortened to a 22-over contest due to heavy rain in Belfast. Having elected to bat first, Tammy Beaumont hit a 42-ball 50 before the rest of England's batting lineup collapsed. Paige Scholfield was the next-highest run-scorer with 21 as the middle and lower order disintegrated, Freya Kemp, Bess Heath, Maddie Villiers and Kate Cross all falling for single-digits. England were bowled out in 20.5 overs for 153.
After their record loss last week, in which they were bowled out for 45 and lost by 275 runs, Ireland started well in their chase this time. Gaby Lewis anchored the innings, scoring a 56-ball 72. By the 19th over of the innings, Ireland were 137-2 and closing in on an easy win needing just 16 runs to win off 23 balls. However, Lewis and Leah Paul were dismissed in the same over by Lauren Filer to leave the side wobbling.
Una Raymond-Hoey and Rebecca Stokell inched Ireland towards their target, taking six runs off Mady Villiers' following over before only managing two off Filer's next. That meant they went into the final over needing eight runs, with Villiers to bowl, an equation which came down to five from four balls after the first two.
However, from there, chaos ensued. Raymond-Hoey was run out off the next delivery attempting a suicidal second run, with Armitage throwing the ball initially to Villiers at the bowler's end before she threw to Bess Heath to catch Raymond-Hoey well short. Villiers then bowled Alice Tector first ball, Tector looking for a big sweep shot to end the game but missing. Jane Maguire suffered the same fate off her first ball, advancing down the ground but also missing.
That meant Dalzell had to come out to face her first delivery with four required to win the game, and three wickets lost in the last three consecutive deliveries. She delivered by smashing a floaty delivery from Villiers straight down the ground, Armitage running round to attempt to cut the ball off. However, she overan the ball, sticking her hand out behind her on the boundary as it bounced, but only able to tip it over the rope.
That gave Ireland their first women's ODI win over England for 23 years. The last time they beat England in the format was in Reading in 2001. England still claim overall victory in the series, however, having won the first two ODIs.
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