Ireland women registered their first ever T20I win over England women as Mady Villiers suffered brainfade on the penultimate delivery of the match. Ireland won the match by five wickets as Mady's unnecessary throw led to overthrows and Ireland batters Leah Paul and Coulter Reilly ran two runs to script history in Dublin.
In the final over, Ireland needed seven runs to win. Set batter Orla Prendergast's wicket in the penultimate over tilted the game in England's favour. Despite being expensive, off-spinner Mady was given the ball. After a single off first ball, Sarah Forbes hit a boundary. Ireland were expected to get over the line with balls to spare but Mady dismissed Sarah and then knocked over Ava Canning as well.
On the last two balls, two runs were needed. Reilly played the ball back to the bowler. Paul wanted a non-existent single. Coulter wouldn’t have made her ground had Mady rushed to the non-striker to take off the bails but she decided to throw the ball at the stumps and missed. It led to an overthrow and the Ireland batters ran for a second run. The throw came in from the deep but it was not on target either as Ireland got over the line to win the game by five wickets and a ball to spare.
Mady got down on his knees and regretted throwing the ball. England players were in disbelief as they could not defend the total of 169.
Similar to Broad’s throw in 2009
The throw would have reminded England of men’s team’s clash against Netherlands in T20 World Cup 2009. Former pacer Stuart Broad made a similar error in the last over and Netherlands won by four wickets.
Series levelled
Earlier, Ireland skipper Gaby Lewis won the toss and opted to bowl first. England posted a total of 169. In the run chase, Orla scored 80 runs from 51 balls. Her 80-run knock is the fourth-highest against England in a successful run chase. Paul remained unbeaten for a run-a-ball 27. The thrilling last-ball win helped Ireland level the two-T20I series 1-1.
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