Ireland concluded their ICC Women's T20 World Cup campaign with a convincing eight-wicket victory over Papua New Guinea in Scotland to finish third in qualifying.
Thursday’s defeat to Bangladesh ended their hopes of reaching the finals in Australia, but Ireland bounced back in emphatic fashion in Dundee.
In sunny conditions, captain Laura Delany won the toss for a fifth consecutive game and chose to bowl first on what looked a slow pitch.
Great line and length bowling from the Kim Garth (2-17) and Eimear Richardson (3-9), backed up by good catching, ensured early wickets and a sluggish run rate by the batting side.
Richardson has impressed throughout the tournament with both bat and ball, and her three-wicket haul means she finishes the tournament with nine wickets at an average of 8.66.
Seventeen-year-old Orla Prendergast again impressed with the ball (1-16) and Ireland will be pleased that only one of the PNG batters made double figures.
Needing 86 for the win, Ireland’s openers came out firing.
Gaby Lewis (10 from 8 balls) showed a brief glimpse of her best before falling to a juggled catch in the covers, but Rebecca Stokell (26) and Kim Garth (29) put on a 50-run partnership in 43 balls to take their side to within touching distance of victory.
Garth fell just short of completing the task, but Prendergast joined Stokell and the pair finished off the 21 runs required for victory.
