Shillington scores century as Ireland win opening

Ireland, 23 July 2013: Ireland defeated Japan by a heavy margin on the first morning of competition at the Hills after an expert batting performance by Clare Shillington; who became the first Irish woman to score a century in a twenty20 international match.

Winning the toss and choosing to bat Ireland started off well with Shillington hitting some big shots early on, before an early setback when captain Isobel Joyce (5) chipped it to mid wicket to Kobayashi off the bowling of Ota. Sister Cecelia Joyce partnered Shillington and the pair put on a 134 runs.

Shillington hit 13 fours and 2 sixes in her 114 not out in 72 balls and Joyce scored a quick fire 40 runs in 41 balls as Ireland’s total was 170 for 1.

Japan’s innings started slowly with Yamamota (10) falling early off the bowling of Louise McCarthy. Miyaji (1) was next to go as the wickets begun to fall, leaving Japan on 17-3. Ota was then out for 5 runs and Garth bowled Sakamoto for 1.

Elena Tice in her second over then got 2 wickets in 3 balls, Kobayashi hitting the ball high in the air, it was a simple caught and bowled for Tice. Two balls later Yanagida edged to slip with Japan on 37 for 7. Wickets continued to fall and Tice got her third Kanno (6). Japan were all out for 53 and Ireland won by 117 runs, Clare Shillington was named player of the match.

Ireland Captain Joyce was delighted with the performance and the win, ‘We were very clinical in 3 aspects we only lost one wicket, the way we set the total and in the field we didn’t put any chances down. When Clare gets going there is no stopping her, she put in a great performance today. We can’t take anything for granted going into the next match, we need to go in as focused and prepared as can be,’ said Joyce.

Mariko Yamamoto, Japan’s skipper said ‘We are looking forward to the next match, we must focus on our game plan, keep positive and improve on today’s game.’

In the other morning’s match Netherlands beat Zimbabwe by 3 runs in a tight fought game at YMCA. Netherlands lost an early wicket as Rambaldo (8) departed, standing at 59 for 1 in 10 overs before Veringmeier was run out for 15 and it was a double blow as Van der Gun retired hurt on 28 with a leg injury. The remaining Dutch batters put on 36 runs after some tight bowling by Zimbabwe restricting Netherlands to 95 for 7. The pick of the bowlers was Mayers who got 3 wickets for 14 runs.

Zimbabwe’s attempt to chase down victory got off to a stuttering start, at the end of the tenth over Zimbabwe were 38 for 5, before captain Ashley Burdett and Nonhalanhla Nyathi put on 33 runs before Bennett removed Burdett (23). Zimbabwe needed 7 runs from the last over, but could only manage 3 finishing on 92 for 9, Nyathi was not out for 30 runs. Leonie Bennett was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 15.

Pakistan beat Thailand by 69 runs in the afternoon match at YMCA. Pakistan lost its opening wicket third ball of the innings as Javeria Khan went for 0. Rauf and Abidi then put on a 51-run partnership, star batter of the Pakistan innings was Nain Abidi (47) scoring 7 fours in 38 balls. Another significant run scorers were Dar (26) and Maroof (25). Thailand’s Pudunglerd (13 for 2) and Sutthiruang (30 for 2) were the pick of the bowlers as Pakistan ended on 145 for 6 after 20 overs.

Thailand’s response stuttered throughout with only three players getting into double figures. Sutthiruang (19), captain Tippoch (11) and Prathanmitr (10), with wickets falling regularly, Thailand could only make 76 runs in their 20 overs for 8 wickets. The star bowler was Siddiqi with figures of 4 wickets for 2 runs helping Pakistan victory by 69 runs.

Sri Lanka won convincingly in its opening match against Canada, restricting it to 44 runs in 17.5 overs.

In a thoroughly professional performance the pick of the Sri Lankan bowlers were Gunaratne 3 wickets for 6 runs and Dolawette and Weerakkody taking 2 wickets a piece. Canada’s top scorer was Sivanantham (13 runs).

Sri Lanka achieved the target in 6.1 overs, Mendis (17) and Kaushalya (17) scoring 4 fours and winning by 9 wickets.

Winning captain Shashikala Siriwardene said, ‘The bowlers did really well today restricting them to a total of 44 runs. We saw the match Japan played we are not underestimating any teams we will do our best.’

Canadian captain Mikaela Turik is looking forward to the next match already said, ‘There’s a lot to learn from this game, we can face this bowling, we did not show our best, we know we can improve a lot on this performance against Ireland.’

Points table after round one: Group A

Group B

Scores in brief:

At The Hills

Ireland 170 for 1, 20 overs (Shillington 114*, Joyce 40*; Ota 1-28)

Japan 53 all out, 18.2 overs (Kubato 11; Tice 3-10)

Ireland won by 117 runs

Player of the Match: Clare Shillington (Ireland)

Canada 44 all out, 17.5 overs (Sivanantham 13; Gunaratne 3-6, Dolawatte 2-8)

Sri Lanka 47 for 1, 6.1 overs (Mendis 17, Kaushalya 17; Turik 1-17)

Sri Lanka won by 9 wickets

Player of the Match: HHC Gunaratne (Sri Lanka)

At YMCA

Netherlands 95 for 7, 20 overs (Van der Gun 28 retired hurt, Veringmeier 15; Mayers 3-14)

Zimbabwe, 92 for 9, 20 overs (Nyathi 30, Burdett 23; Bennett 3-15)

Netherlands won by 3 runs

Player of the Match: N Nyathi (Zimbabwe)

Pakistan 145 for 6, 20 overs (Abidi 47, Dar 26, Maroof 25; Padunglerd 2-13)

Thailand 76 for 8, 20 overs (Suttthiruang 19, Tippoch 11; Siddiqi 2-4)

Pakistan won by 69 runs

Player of the Match: Nain Abidi (Pakistan)

Wednesday is a rest/reserve day. Thursday’s fixtures:

At The Hills: Thailand v Netherlands 1000 local time match is scheduled to start

Zimbabwe v Pakistan 1400 local time match is scheduled to start

At Merrion: Canada v Ireland 1000 local time match is scheduled to start

Japan v Sri Lanka 1400 local time match is scheduled to start. —- ICC/ Photo: Ian Jacobs