Dublin – Orla Prendergast, Typhoons stand-in captain scored her maiden ton, leading her team to a 33 run victory in the Arachas Super 50 against the Scorchers at Rush Cricket Club on Sunday. 

Scorchers skipper Gaby Lewis won the toss and elected to field first in cold, blustery conditions, covered by heavy clouds threatening rain  the entire day.

Louise Little joined forces with Rachel Delaney at the top of the order as Rebecca Stokell was unavailable for the game. However, both the batters got dismissed cheaply on 0 and 6 respectively. For the Scorchers, opening bowlers Sophie MacMahon and Kate McEvoy were bowling with controlled line and length, keeping the run flow tight and grabbing a wicket apiece.

Sarah Forbes and Typhoons skipper Orla Prendergast then amassed 125 runs for the third wicket, with Forbes leading the proceedings, slamming 73 runs off 74 deliveries packed with 9 boundaries. Prendergast brought up her fifty after Forbes’ dismissal and began to look more comfortable anchoring the innings.

Hitting the ball all around the park, the Typhoons captain took control of the innings and recorded her first Super Series century off 122 balls. This was the fourth ton in Super Series history after Meg Kendal (125), Cecelia Joyce (118) and Clare Shillington (116).

Prendergast eventually departed for 116 off 129 balls, and the Typhoons finished their innings on 259-8.

Scorchers' Cara Murray’s 2-36 displayed brilliant control and use of flight by the leg spinner, whereas MacMahon’s 1-44 and McEvoy’s 1-18 offered good seam support.

In reply, the Scorchers lost three early wickets to be 43-3 by the 11th over, which comprised the departure of Gaby Lewis (7) and Leah Paul (11). Later, Shauna Kavanagh was shortly dismissed on 3, before Murray and MacMahon tried to rally their team. MacMahon hit three quick boundaries, but while on 15 played back to a delivery that kept low and played it on. After a short rain delay, Murray (11) was given LBW and the Scorchers found themselves struggling at 88-6 in the 23rd over.

Lara Maritz (78) and Jenny Sparrow (40) came together for a 68-run partnership for the 7th wicket. However, their partnership was put to an end by a direct-hit run out by Prendergast. However, just when it looked as though the Scorchers had no chance in the game, Maritz and Ashlee King put up a boundary blitz smashing 8 fours and a six among them as part of a 60-run ninth wicket partnership off 46 deliveries.

Prendergast (2-17) then came back to the bowling crease and within five balls, wiped off the Scorchers tail, bowling both Maritz and McEvoy.

The Scorchers finished at 226, handing the Typhoons a 33 run victory.

The Super 50 Cup competition is now led by Scorchers 2-1 with three rounds to play.

Orla Prendergast was adjudged Player of the Match.

MATCH SUMMARY

Scorchers v Typhoons, 3rd Match Arachas Super 50 Cup, Rush, 9 May 2021

Typhoons 259-8 (50 overs; O Prendergast 116, S Forbes 73; C Murray 2-36)

Scorchers 226 (46.5 overs; L Maritz 78, J Sparrow 40; R Delaney 3-40)