In the third over, Smriti Mandhana stepped out and dispatched Ireland pacer Orla Prendergast’s length delivery through cover point for her first boundary. It was the beginning of the Indian opener’s domination over the Irish bowlers. For the next 75 minutes at the windswept St. George’s Park in Gqeberha, the southpaw entertained with her career-best 87 (56b; 9×4; 3×6).
In their final league encounter at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup on Monday, India walked away with a five-run victory by the DLS method. Chasing India’s 155/6, Ireland were 54/2 in 8.2 overs when rain halted play and no further play was possible. India are now placed second on the points table with six points behind England, who play Pakistan on Tuesday in the last Group 2 engagement. In the semifinals, India will be up against Group 1 toppers and defending champions Australia.
India may have sealed the last-four place all right but they were probed by the Irish bowlers. The fact that there were 41 dot balls in their innings sums up their batting despair.
While Smriti — who rode on her luck after being put down on four occasions — was at ease in testing conditions, the rest of the batters struggled to connect and their timing was flawed. With gusty wind blowing for the better part of the match before rain hit the proceedings, Smriti and Shafali Verma (24; 29b; 3×4)got India off to a good start with their 62-run opening stand. Shafali, lacking in fluency, was happy rotating the strike. After surviving a couple of close calls, the youngster eyed the deep square leg for a big one. But she fell short and a diving Amy Hunter held on to the catch.
Ironically, on a day when Smriti punished them for the dropped catches, the Irish, Gaby Lewis in particular, held on to some good catches. Dropped on 46, the 26-year-old brought up her 22nd T20I half-century with a maximum over deep midwicket, a slog-sweep off Cara Murray. While the 50 came off 40 deliveries, Smriti switched gears thereafter and upped the ante. Laura Delany (3/33), who conceded 10 runs in her first two overs, was taken apart by Smriti, who struck two sixes off the medium pacer.
Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur again failed, falling to a mistimed slog.
Brief scores: India 155/6 (Mandhana 87, Delany 3-33) beat Ireland 54/2 (Lewis 32*, Renuka 1-10) by 5 runs via DLS method
