Lewis half century sees Ireland wrap up series victory

An efficient display with the ball and a confident run chase saw Ireland Women defeat Scotland by seven wickets which means Ed Joyce's side hold an unassailable 3-1 series lead with one match to play in Almeria.

Gaby Lewis anchored what turned out to be a positive run chase – her innings of 53 came from 51 balls and included seven boundaries, the 22-year-old skilfully working the ball around, punishing anything over-pitched and playing the angles to force fielding changes which she would subsequently exploit.

Lewis’ 62-run stand with skipper Laura Delany (25 off 28 balls) broke the back of the run chase after Ireland found themselves at 29-2 in the 7th over chasing a small target of 92.

Earlier in the day, Scotland captain Kathryn Bryce won the toss and chose to bat first.

However, Bryce was soon ruing the decision when T20I debutant Alana Dalzell quickly had two wickets to her name in an impressive spell of 2-8 off three overs.

Opener Darcey Carter’s 45 from 55 balls was the only score of note as her near solo knock saved Scotland from a miserable day with the bat.

Megan McColl’s breezy 19 from 15 at the end at least helped push Scotland towards the 100-mark, but the first innings belonged to the Irish bowling unit as they knocked the Scots over for just 91.

Dalzell was supported well by Delany (2-7) and Cara Murray (2-15), with Georgina Dempsey and Arlene Kelly chipping in for a wicket apiece.

Also impressing was 18-year-old wicketkeeper Amy Hunter who seems increasingly comfortable in her role since taking the 'keeping mantle after Mary Waldron’s retirement earlier this year.

The two sides are back at the same venue for the last match of the series tomorrow, with play starting at 2pm local time.