ENG-W vs IRE-W

ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 · Match 8

Recent overs

Ov 18
2012wd
5 runs
Ov 17
00W004
4 runs
Ov 16
011041
7 runs
Ov 15
101210
5 runs

Commentary

That's it for today everyone. Thank you for joining us for this Live Coverage from the ICC Women's T20 World Cup. Your commentary team of Shahan and Pradeep signing off! We will see you soon for more T20 World Cup Action!
Nat Sciver-Brunt[England Captain]
Yeah I am very happy after winning 2 games this was obviously a very different looking game"[on winning two back to back games]", but in the ending we got over the lines so I am very happy. "[on the contribution which stood out to her]" I think the way the bowlers took the wickets today was very pleasing ,  they played very crucial role in controlling the innings."[on her retiring out on 48]" My reason for retiring out was very precautionary because I felt something in my calf so I felt it was better not to push it. "[On looking to finsih the game quickly]" We can't take any game lightly really we found that out in the previous T20 World Cup when we got knocked out because of net run rate, so yea hopefully we can keep the momentum going.
Gaby Lewis [Ireland Women captain]: [On Ireland's total]"We knew 118 was probably below par. Ideally, we wanted to get closer to 150, although that late partnership, especially from Louisa, gave us a bit of a boost. At the halfway stage, it felt under par, but after the way we started with the ball, you do wonder what another 20 runs might have done. Overall, though, I'm proud of the effort from the group."[On areas to improve]"The powerplay with the bat is something we need to address. Losing three wickets early isn't ideal, and it makes life tougher for the middle order. On the positive side, I thought our bowling was very good and the energy in the field was outstanding. If we can carry those aspects forward, we'll be in a good place."[On the positives from the performance]"There were definitely plenty of encouraging signs. We finished the innings strongly with the bat, and with the ball there were some really good performances. Amy Maguire, in particular, brought great energy and a real willingness to learn. The more opportunities she gets against top teams like England, the better she's going to become."[On lessons ahead of the next match]"We've learned a bit more about the conditions, especially playing under lights, which is a relatively new experience for some of the girls. Every game is a chance to learn and improve, and we're already looking forward to the challenge against New Zealand on Friday."
Sophie Ecclestone is the Player of the Match! Here's what she has to say: [On England's unbeaten start]"It's been great to start the tournament with two wins from two. We're building some good momentum and hopefully we can keep that going in the matches ahead."[On moving into the top five all-time T20I wicket-takers]"I wasn't really aware of that milestone, so it's obviously very nice to hear. But the main thing is contributing to the team's success, and hopefully we can make it three wins from three next time out."[On her role as a senior bowler]"My role is pretty simple — keep taking wickets and keep putting pressure on the opposition. We've got a strong bowling attack, both spin and seam, and hopefully we can continue delivering as a unit."[On the road ahead in the tournament]"The team has started well, but the next few games are going to be really important. It's an exciting time, and I can't wait to get back out there and keep things moving in the right direction."
England Women chase down 119 to defeat Ireland Women by 4 wickets with 15 balls to spare.
Batting Highlights (England Women)
Nat Sciver-Brunt 48 (37) | Heather Knight 26 (23) | Danni Wyatt-Hodge 16 (16)
Bowling Figures (Ireland Women)
Aimee Maguire 2/23 (4) | Orla Prendergast 2/17 (4) | Alice Tector 0/20 (2.3)
Chasing a modest target of 119, England's innings got off to a shaky start despite the manageable asking rate. Aimee Maguire struck twice in quick succession, removing Amy Jones and Danni Wyatt-Hodge to leave the hosts wobbling at 28/2 inside five overs.

Ireland continued to fight hard as Orla Prendergast dismissed both Alice Capsey and Heather Knight, reducing England to 99/4 and briefly raising hopes of an upset. However, captain Nat Sciver-Brunt ensured there would be no major drama, anchoring the chase with a composed 48 from 37 deliveries.

Sciver-Brunt rotated strike effectively and absorbed the pressure before falling just two runs short of a deserved half-century. Even after her dismissal, England remained in control, with Danielle Gibson and Charlie Dean calmly guiding the side over the line.

Earlier, England's bowlers had laid the foundation for victory by restricting Ireland to 118/9. Sophie Ecclestone starred with 3/22, while Charlotte Dean and Danielle Gibson claimed two wickets apiece to keep the visitors in check throughout the innings.

The chase was not entirely straightforward, but England's superior depth and experience ultimately proved decisive as they secured a four-wicket victory and completed a professional all-round performance.
17.4 Alice Tector to Charlotte Dean, WIDE! THAT'S IT! Bit of an anti-climatic end for the game, but England hold their nerve! Ireland pushed them all the way, but England held their nerve to seal a four-wicket win in Southampton. Length delivery, strays it down the leg-side, they pick up a bye and it's a wide too.
17.3 Alice Tector to Danielle Gibson, SCORES LEVEL! Swipes the short delivery over mid-wicket, gets a single.
17.2 Alice Tector to Danielle Gibson, OH! Back of a length in the channel, too close to cut and Gibson gets beaten.
17.1 Alice Tector to Danielle Gibson, short and wide, Gibson reaches and slashes it to deep backward point and they hare back for a couple. Just two needed now!
A boundary on the last ball of the over has put England just one hit away from a victory in this game 
17Ov115/6Score
00W0044 runs
16.6 Cara Murray to Charlotte Dean, FOUR! Breaks the shackles with that boundary Dean. Full outside the off-stump, Dean uses her feet and squeezes it through covers and it races away.
16.5 Cara Murray to Charlotte Dean, takes a shimmy down the wicket, Dean chipped it towards mid-on for another dot.
16.4 Cara Murray to Charlotte Dean, on a length in the channel, Dean goes back and punched it to short cover.
Charlotte Dean batting at 8th position
Freya Kemp has been dismissed for 2 runs off 5 balls
16.3 Cara Murray to Danielle Gibson, RUN-OUT! Short on the stumps, Gibson slaps it straight to short cover and they take a tight single. Throw comes to the keeper, another sharp glove work. Kemp is short and has to go. What is going on?
16.2 Cara Murray to Danielle Gibson, BIG APPEAL FOR STUMPING! Classical leg-spinner's delivery. Tossed up on the off-stump, Gibson takes a shimmy down the wicket, has a big swing and a miss. Keeper quick to remove the bails off. Gibson dragged her foot back in time.
16.1 Cara Murray to Danielle Gibson, short, just outside the off-stump. Gibson rocks back and cuts it to covers for a dot.
England only need 8 runs from 24 balls now.