CRICKET: Success for IOM Women against Austria

Report by IOM Cricket

The Isle of Man's National Women's Cricket team has had a cracking weekend winning two games against Austria in a bilateral series. 

Game 1

Austria 122-7

The first game saw Austria get off to a flyer with Priya Sabu making 61. 

The removal of the openers then saw some disciplined bowling and improved fielding which saw the IOM restrict Austria to 122. 

Lucy Barnett was the pick of the bowlers with 2-7 with Alanya Thorpe, Bliss Murtagh (on her international debut) and Dani Murphy the other wicket takers.

Isle of Man 123-3 (16.5 overs)

A good opening partnership of 37 between Lucy Barnett and Kim Carney (10), followed by a second wicket partnership of 84 with Ellan Cleator and Lucy saw the IOM get near the total. 

A couple of quick wickets stalled the finish but the IOM ran out winners with 19 balls to spare. 

Lucy was the top scorer with an excellent 65 from 48 balls and very ably supported by Ellan with a well made 30 not out.

The game also saw Bliss Murtagh and Caitlin Henery on making their T20 international debuts.

Game 2

Austria 93 all out

A better bowling display and a much improved fielding display saw Austria dismissed for 93 in 18.2 overs. 

All the bowlers were economical and picked up wickets with Lucy Barnett 3-20, Catherine Perry 2-12, Jo Hicks 2-13, Alanya Thorpe 1-15, Bliss Murtagh 1-16 and Dani Murphy bowled tightly.

Isle of Man 94-8.

Top scorers from game one Lucy and Ellan went cheaply but Kim Carney and Bekkie Webster had a gutsy partnership which whilst not littered with boundaries saw the two run hard and took the IOM near the total. 

A few quick wickets made things nervy however the IOM bat deep and Dani Murphy danced down the wicket on her third ball whipping the ball over mid wicket with the shot of the day to tie the score and Bliss Murtagh finished the job off.

The squad are back in action again today (31 July) for the third and final match, which provides the opportunity for ranking points.

They then head to Romania for the Continental Cup on Tuesday. (1 Aug)