Clare Shillington credits bowlers for second win in a row
IRELAND (92 News) Clare Shillington won her second Player of the Match award in a row, the Ireland opener following up her 32-ball 38 against Thailand with a 39-ball 47 against Scotland as Ireland made it two in two.
The win, however, was set up by the Irish bowlers, who kept Scotland to 98/2 in their 20 overs. Sarah Bryce, the opening batter, scored 49 in 55 balls, but there was little of note from the other batters as Ireland set themselves a small chase.
Shillington and Cecelia Joyce (35*) did the job comfortably enough, Ireland reaching home in 15.4 overs. That the bowlers were the real stars wasn’t lost on Shillington.
“I think we pretty much won the game in the field today. I thought our bowlers were excellent, much, much better (than against Thailand),” she said after the game. “Dellers (Laura Delany, the captain) led from the front with the ball, she was superb and very miserly with her runs.”
Delany returned 1/13 from her four overs. Lucy O’Reilly, the right-arm pacer, was the only other wicket-taker, but every one of the bowlers kept things tight, Eimear Richardson, the off-spinner, the only one conceding runs at six an over.
That was crucial and, as Shillington pointed out, the Player of the Match award “could have probably been given to a number of people”.
Kim Garth, the experienced pacer, also turned her arm over for two uneventful overs, which was a welcome sight for Irish fans ahead of potentially tougher times ahead, since she hadn’t been bowling of late.
“It was great to see Kim Garth back with the ball in hand. I think everyone is delighted to see her back as she's a real asset to our team,” said Shillington.
“The job had been pretty much done by halfway and then Cecelia and I were able to take it home comfortably enough.”
Ireland next play Uganda on Tuesday, while Scotland are up against Thailand on the same day.
