Amy Hunter has become the first Irish women’s cricketer to score an international century in both one-day international and T20 international formats as Zimbabwe were beaten by 57 runs in the first T20 international of a five-match series.
It is 837 days since the Belfast wicketkeeper-batter hit a record-breaking century on her 16th birthday at the Harare Sports Club, Hunter struck her second international century at the exact same venue to become one of only three Irish cricketers (men or women) to claim the double feat.
Hunter’s knock of 101 came off just 66 balls, featuring 13 fours and a six.
There was late-on drama as she neared the milestone, she was on 99 not out at the non-strikers end with two balls of the innings to go, but a glanced single by captain Laura Delany got Hunter on strike for what was meant to be the last ball.
However that ball went for a wide down legside and Hunter remained calm and glided the last ball through square leg for two, raising her bat to the relief of teammates and fans alike.
Ireland captain Delany had earlier won the toss and elected to bat first and the opening pair of Hunter and Gaby Lewis (56 off 39 balls) got Ireland off to the perfect start, racing away to 52-0 after the powerplay.
The pair combined to score a record-breaking T20I partnership of 138 to set the platform for victory.
Hunter brought up what was her second T20I half-century with a six off Tshuma in the 12th over, before Lewis fell to Nyasha Gwanzura a couple of overs later. Kudzai Chigora took two late wickets as Ireland finished on 191-3, their highest T20I total against a full member side.
Facing a difficult challenge in the run chase, Zimbabwe openers Kelis Ndhlovu and captain Mary-Ann Musonda stuck to the task, and scored 38 runs for the first wicket, before Bready Cricket Club’s Alana Dalzell removed Ndhlovu (20).
Ireland’s bowlers gradually turned up the pressure, as the run rate required increased, and despite Musonda’s stubborn 46, further wickets from Dalzell, Georgina Dempsey, and Cara Murray saw Ireland home, as the hosts finished on 134-5. Dalzell finished up with career-best T20I figures of 2-20.
The second match of the five-match series takes place on Sunday, 28 January (11am Irish time) at the same venue.
