Development XI win competition

12 August 2010

ECB Women's Development squad pose with their ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier crown after beating Ireland

ECB Women’s Development XI have defeated Ireland by seven wickets to win the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier competition in Stirling.

Continuing their form after overcoming Scotland yesterday, Jo Cook once again won the toss and put the opposition into bat. This decision paid dividends with early wickets falling, leaving Ireland on 72 for five.

Lancashire’s Alex Hartley led the bowing attack for the development side picking up 3-8 along the way.

Hartley was backed up well by Alice MacLeod, who took 2-12, and Lucy Maxwell, with 2-24, leaving the Irish unable to build an innings. Ireland were all out for 105 after 45 overs.

The ECB Development XI looked comfortable as they rattled off the total in 26 overs, losing just the three wickets along the way.

Fran Wilson hit 35 before Kathryn Doherty, who made 13, joined MacLeod at the crease to hit the winning runs for the development side.

Berkshire’s MacLeod top scored for the development side with 42 not out and said: “We kept them down to a good run rate early, the pitch made it hard for them to get our spinners away.

"We started reasonably steady, but with our top order putting away the bad ball we managed to keep the run rate ticking over.

"I’m really happy with the win, it’s great how we have progressed as a team throughout the tournament."

Reflecting on the performance of the ECB Development XI throughout the competition Paul Shaw, ECB High Performance Manager for Women and Girls said: “This tournament has provided us with a number of great opportunities for our young players.

"It has been very pleasing to see the players progress both as individuals and cricketers, cumulating with a professional performance against Ireland today.

"I would like to thank Phil Hudson and the ICC for organising this tournament and giving the ECB this very importance development opportunity.”