Maia Bouchier Leads England To Record ODI Chase Against Ireland In Leicester

Maia Bouchier struck 104 off 95 balls as England chased a record one-day international target of 282 and beat Ireland by six wickets in the first ODI at Leicester.

“England 283-4 (38.1 overs): Bouchier 104 (95), Dunkley 73 (61)”

BBC

Ireland posted 281 for five, with Gaby Lewis making 69 and Amy Hunter 62, while Rebecca Stokell hit 54 not out, and England reached the target with 11.5 overs to spare.

Image: BBC

Bouchier and Sophia Dunkley put on 143 for the first wicket inside 20 overs, before Bouchier holed out to long-on with 59 still required.

Alice Capsey and Freya Kemp then made light work of the remaining runs, with Capsey finishing unbeaten on 41 and Kemp contributing 36 off 22 as England won in the 39th over.

The match was part of a three-match series, with the next ODI scheduled at Derby on Thursday.

England’s win came after Ireland’s innings was shaped by extras, with the hosts conceding 33 extras including 20 wides, and Charlie Dean taking 2-44 while Issy Wong also claimed two wickets.

Wong was denied a third wicket in the final over when the ball hit Rebecca Stokell’s leg stump flush but the bails remained unmoved, a moment described as bizarre in the BBC report.

Image: RTE.ie

At the presentation, England captain Charlie Dean said, "It was amazing to" as the record chase capped a dominant start for England’s transitional batting line-up.

The BBC also noted that Ireland were "sloppy in the field" even as they had impressed with the bat to post 281-5.

England’s chase was built on a 54-run stand from 38 balls between Alice Capsey and Bouchier, and the BBC described Bouchier’s start as watchful with eight off her first 19 balls.

The first ODI also set the tone for the series as England contested the three matches without several key players, with Nat Sciver-Brunt injured and Lauren Bell, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Sophie Ecclestone, Amy Jones and Linsey Smith being rested.

“The three-match series continues at Derby on Thursday.”

BBC

The BBC said the new era began as England’s transitional batting line-up faced tougher tests, and it framed the chase as a start for a side building towards next summer’s Ashes.

Ireland’s bowling concerns were highlighted alongside their batting promise, with the BBC saying there were "concerns for Ireland's bowling as the series continues" even after the 281-5 total.

The Irish Times reported that Bouchier missed out on selection for the T20 World Cup in June but remained a key part of England’s ODI plans as they looked to build a new team after the retirements of Heather Knight and Tammy Beaumont.

With the series continuing at Derby on Thursday, the BBC said the gulf in class and experience was stark in the second innings, while England’s next ODI would follow the record chase.