Issy Wong delivered an exceptional performance with her 5/33 in the second One Day International between England Women and Ireland Women. Wong’s figures came from just 10 overs as she helped dismiss Ireland for only 165 runs in 47 overs. Ireland struggled early on, reaching just 33/2 after the first 10 overs of their innings. Amy Hunter provided a 64-run knock from 96 deliveries. Hunter and Leah Paul shared a 50-run partnership that lasted for 76 balls before England continued to make breakthroughs. Hunter eventually fell to Wong’s bowling, ending her innings with a score of 64.
Ireland’s lower order failed to maintain momentum, losing four wickets after the 40-over mark, according to Cricket World. England started their chase with an aggressive approach, quickly building a strong foundation. Maia Bouchier struck a rapid 45 from only 31 balls, including nine fours, to help England reach 79/2 after ten overs. Sophia Dunkley and Bouchier added 50 runs in just 42 deliveries to set a strong pace for the chase. Despite Ireland’s efforts to slow down the run rate, England remained in control and completed the chase in just 23 overs.
Bouchier’s innings was supported by a solid performance from the rest of England’s batting lineup. Wong credited her success to a recent coaching decision to embrace the wobble seam technique, according to a report from The Guardian. She said that this change in approach now makes the wobble ball her main weapon. Orla Prendergast described Wong’s delivery as challenging to face.
In the field, Jodi Grewcock was praised by Wong for taking two crucial catches during her bowling spell. Grewcock’s performance was compared to that of a top-tier player like Kevin De Bruyne by Wong. Freya Kemp and Dani Gibson also played key roles in the chase, showing promise for England’s future ODI performances.
The match was played at County Ground, Derby on Thursday, September 3, 2026, at 13:00. England elected to bowl first after winning the toss.
The series concludes with a match scheduled for Worcester on Sunday. In the first innings, Sophia Dunkley took a direct-hit run out of Alice Tector early in Ireland’s batting. Later, Dunkley was also run out by Orla Prendergast after a miscommunication with Bouchier.
England’s captain, Charlie Dean, slipped during her follow-through while attempting to stop the ball and sustained a knee graze. The conditions were challenging due to overnight rain that made the outfield squelchy.
Issy Wong’s five-wicket haul was supported by a strong team effort from England’s batting and fielding, cricinfo.com reported. The match saw a crucial unbroken stand of 47 runs between Dani Gibson and Freya Kemp that helped England secure the victory. Wong’s wicket of Hunter was the key moment in her five-wicket performance. Mady Villiers also contributed with a maiden over and a crucial catch to finish off the innings.
Jodi Grewcock, playing in her fourth ODI, started the chase but couldn’t convert her score. The experienced pair of Kemp and Gibson took over and delivered the runs needed to win. Gibson hit two sixes in quick succession to bring England across the finish line.
IMAGE: Southern Stars vs West Indies women’s cricket NAPARAZZI CC BY-SA 2.0