BELFAST – Ireland Women, despite putting on an excellent bowling and fielding show, lost the first T20 against Scotland  by 11 runs at Stormont on Monday.

After Scotland won the toss and elected to bat first first, Ireland walked into the field with two debutants – Amy Hunter and Ava Canning. Canning got the initial breakthrough to dismiss Becky Glen in the second over.

Sarah Bryce (14) slammed two deliveries to the boundary but got caught short of her crease by a direct hit from Celeste Raack while attempting a quick single. Shortly afterwards, Kathryn Bryce followed her sister back to the dressing room for 12 and Scotland found themselves struggling at 35-3 in the 9th over.

Skipper Laura Delany clinched two wickets in three balls in the 16th over, to reduce the Scots at 70-6. A wicket by Orla Prendergast from the last ball of her fourth over and wickets from successive deliveries at the start of Raack’s next over handed Ireland a team hat-trick, as the Scots finished on 87-9.

Seeking a positive start, the Irish run chase started on a disappointing note, as they lost Gaby Lewis and Rebecca Stokell – both for 4. Delany and Shauna Kavanagh tried to anchor and build some momentum in their team's innings. However, after a 21-run partnership both Delany (8) and Kavanagh (12) were stumped out.

Leah Paul and Celeste Raack shared a 26-run partnership at the end, but the final two wickets fell from the last two deliveries and Irish side was all out for 76 with one ball left.

Katie McGill was adjudged Player of the Match for her 20 and 3-18.

MATCH SUMMARY

Ireland Women v Scotland Women, 1st Match, Belfast, 24 May 2021

Scotland 87-9 (20 overs; K McGill 20; C Raack 3-15, L Delany 2-13)

Ireland 76 (19.5 overs; L Paul 18; K McGill 3-18)

Scotland Women won by 11 runs