Dunkley stars as England complete dominant ODI sweep

England beat Ireland by 114 runs to win the ODI series 3-0 at New Road in Worcester, defending 291 runs after being put in to bat.

Player of the Match Sophia Dunkley led the innings with a composed 119 off 119 balls and 15 fours. After opener Maia Bouchier had given the team an early boost with a score of 39, she and Jodi Grewcock shared a 110-run partnership for the second wicket. Grewcock scored 35 runs.

When Dunkley fell in the 36th over, England were 214 for 4; however, Freya Kemp's 23 and Danielle Gibson's 41 off 37 helped them advance before they were bowled out for 291 in 48.5 overs. Cara Murray of Ireland took four wickets for 56 runs.

Ireland's chase got off to a good start, but they lost captain Gaby Lewis for 16 in the fifth over. After that, Alice Tector and Amy Hunter put together 56 runs for the second wicket, which was the biggest partnership of the innings. However, in the 20th over, Tector was bowled by Tilly Corteen-Coleman.

Hunter then continued the rebuild with Orla Prendergast, the pair adding 27. Orla, who was playing her 50th ODI, and Rebecca Stokell engaged in a second 20-run stand before losing to Mady Villiers in the 34th over, making Orla her second victim.

After that, Louise Little and Leah Paul scored a quick 34 runs to make it six for six, but they had too much work left to do. Ireland were bowled out for just 177 in 44.2 overs as England continued to break partnerships. The final four stands only produced runs of 4, 0, 4, and 2.

Mady Villiers and Lauren Filer won the match with three-wicket hauls. Arlene Kelly made her final international appearance in the match before retiring from international cricket.