New Zealand Women snatch thriller as Kerr magic trumps Lewis, Prendergast fifties

Ireland batters: Gaby Lewis + Orla Prendergast both hit fifties to set up or chase a strong total for Ireland Women.NZ opponent: Likely Amelia “Melie” Kerr starring for New Zealand Women. Amelia Kerr probably delivered an all-round show: crucial wickets + late runs, or a match-winning spell in the death. “Magic” headlines usually mean she turned the game in the last few overs – either with bat, ball, or in the field. Ireland needed 18 from eight balls once Lewis fell in the penultimate over, and the two new batters found it much tougher to nail the big shots. Louise Little and Leah Paul brought it down to 15 off the last over that was given to Suzie Bates, who was playing her first game of this World Cup, having replaced Sophie Devine, who fell sick just before the game. The lack of pace from Bates meant Paul and Little couldn't find a boundary, and they fell short by four runs when they needed six off the last ball. Now fourth in Group 2, New Zealand will know better than anyone that they will need far better performances to make the knockouts, as their last league game will be against England after they meet Scotland next. “In vain”: Lewis and Prendergast’s fifties weren’t enough. Ireland likely fell short by a few runs or lost on the last ball.NZ win: Kerr’s performance swung a tight game New Zealand’s way despite Ireland’s strong batting. New Zealand were in deep trouble early and lots had to do with Prendergast, who kept going for the top of middle stump and was rewarded twice. Isabella Gaze fell first when she missed a scoop on the first ball of the second over for just 1. That she fell the very next delivery after Georgia Plimmer had handed a catch straight to mid-off made the score 6 for 2. But Ireland fought back and dried up the boundaries for the next 35 balls while also removing the set batters. Halliday had just received some medical treatment and swept one straight to short fine leg for 34 in the 17th over before Sharp holed out to long-off for 36 off 28. Bates, batting at No. 7 for the first time in T20Is in her 19-year career, finally broke the boundary drought with a reverse lap and also ended the innings with a desperate six pulled from way outside off after exposing her stumps. Bottom line: Ireland’s twin fifties from Lewis and Prendergast went unrewarded as Amelia Kerr produced another match-winning effort to hand NZ a narrow win. New Zealand 140 for 6 (Sharp 36, Halliday 34, Prendergast 2-26, Murray 2-26) beat Ireland 136 for 4 (Prendergast 59, Lewis 58, Melie 2-23) by four runs