England Women Record ODI Chase As Bouchier 104 Sinks Ireland

England Women produced a record ODI chase at Grace Road, beating Ireland by six wickets in the first match of a three-game series. Maia Bouchier made 104 and Sophia Dunkley 73. The target of 282 was knocked off with 71 balls in hand. It is the highest successful chase in the history of England Women in ODIs. The old mark was 267 for 8 against Australia at Bristol in 2023.

Ireland had made 281 for 5 from their 50 overs. Gaby Lewis top-scored with 69. Amy Hunter made 62 and Rebecca Stokell 54. England replied at better than seven an over.

Bouchier and Dunkley set the pace

The openers put England ahead of the rate at once. Cricket Times had Dunkley hitting 13 fours in 61 balls. The same scorecard gave Bouchier 11 fours in 95 balls and listed her as player of the match.

Bouchier had missed selection for the World Cup. "Obviously gutting that I missed out on the World Cup," she said. "But it was a really good way to play some more cricket and take the positives instead." Cricket Times' scorecard gave the leading scores as:

• Maia Bouchier, England, 104 from 95 balls
• Sophia Dunkley, England, 73 from 61 balls
• Gaby Lewis, Ireland, 69 from 89 balls
• Amy Hunter, Ireland, 62 from 90 balls
• Rebecca Stokell, Ireland, 54 from 48 balls

Ireland's 281 built on three fifties

Lewis and Hunter batted deep into the innings. Stokell was the quickest of the three. Charlie Dean was the pick of the England bowlers with 2 for 44. Issy Wong also took two, Cricket Times reported.

England were untidy with the ball. They conceded 33 extras, 20 of them wides. Lauren Bell and Sophie Ecclestone were both rested for the match.

Past the Bristol record from 2023

The old England record of 267 for 8 came against Australia at Bristol during the 2023 home Ashes. Heather Knight and Tammy Beaumont were among the leading scorers that day. Both have since retired. This was the first England outing since those retirements. The new mark is 15 runs higher. England also lost four fewer wickets getting there.

Charlie Dean led the side as stand-in captain. "It was amazing to chase a high total like that down," she said. She also praised the openers, saying "Sophia and Maia did that remarkably".

Two more ODIs to come

Ireland captain Gaby Lewis was blunt afterwards. "It's very disappointing," she said. "You're battling against world-class players who really took on the powerplay and put our bowlers off their lines." The series has two matches left. Three Ireland batters passed fifty. None reached three figures. England lost four wickets in reply.