Scotland's Kathryn Bryce shines even as Ireland win ODI series

Skipper Kathryn Bryce scored three fifties in the debut series as Scotland returned to ODI cricket after a gap of 20 years. Only Hayley Matthews has hit three back-to-back fifties in ODI cricket before Kathryn. Unfortunately for Scotland, Ireland came back to win the final two ODIs to lift the trophy 2-1 at the Desert Springs Cricket Ground in Almeria, Spain.
Kathryn scored 228 runs at an average of 76.00 and an impressive strike rate of 84.75 with the best of 83, while Hannah Rainey picked up 5/41 in the final ODI to get her wicket tally in the series to eight wickets.
For Ireland, Opener Leah Paul was the best perfomer with the bat as she made 170 runs from three match including two fifties. Amy Hunter and Orla Prendergast also chipped in with one fifty each while Arlene Kelly was the best bowler for the Irish side with eight wickets to her name.
1st ODI, Oct 17, 2023
On their return to ODI cricket, Scotland shocked Ireland with a team full of debutants in the format. Put into bat first, Scotland scored 211 runs thanks to an impressive partnership from The Bryce Sisters - Sarah and Kathryn. The duo added 65 runs for the second wicket and Kathryn almost batted through the innings before becoming the ninth wicket to fall. She top-scored with 78 - Scotland's first fifty in the format.
For Ireland, four bowlers picked up two wickets apiece with Laura Delany returning with impressive figures of 2 for 23 from eight overs.
In the chase, Ireland looked comfortable at 109 for 2 in the 27th over before Paul was trapped in front of the wicket by leg spinner Abtaha Maqsood for 43. Once Prendergast got out to a run out for 37, lower order couldn't keep the hosts in the chase and were bowled out for 171 to give Scotland a memorable win.
Brief Scores: Scotland 211/10 in 47.2 overs (Kathryn Bryce 78, Sarah Bryce 42; Laura Delany 2/23, Georgina Dempsey 2/25) beat Ireland 171/10 in 41.4 overs (Leah Paul 43, Orla Prendergast 37; Abtaha Maqsood 2/41) by 40 runs
2nd ODI, Oct 19, 2023
Opting to bat first, Ireland had partnerships through out their innings with Prendergast, Paul, and Hunter scoring fifties. Cameos from skipper Laura Delany and Rebecca Stokell helped Ireland to 270 and for Scotland, Kathryn picked up two wickets.
In the chase, Scotland were kept in the game by Bryce and young Ailsa Lister with a 84-run stand. However, once their skipper fell to Freya Sargent in the 26th over, Scotland lost wickets in quick succession and were eventually bowled out for 191.
For Ireland, pacer Ava Canning picked up four wickets while three other bowlers had two wickets apiece.
Brief Scores: Ireland 270/6 in 50 overs (Orla Prendergast 64, Leah Paul 58, Amy Hunter 56; Kathryn Bryce 2/44) beat Scotland 191/10 in 39 overs (Kathryn Bryce 67, Ailsa Lister 47; Ava Canning 4/36) by 79 runs
3rd ODI, Oct 21, 2023
Winning her third toss of the series, Delany opted to bat first for the second time in the series decider. Although Gaby Lewis fell early after a slow start, Paul and Hunter looked comfortable at the crease as they added 78 runs for the second wicket. Paul top-scored with 70 and Delany's run-a-ball 41 helped Ireland to 210 before she fell. The lower order took Ireland to 239 even as Rainey picked up five wickets.
In the chase, Scotland once again looked towards their talismanic skipper and Kathryn didn't disappoint and held the innings together with a brilliant 83 off 110 balls. However, following the script of the series, once the allrounder fell, Scotland didn't have enough ammunition in their tank to get to the target.
Kelly once again was impressive for Ireland as she finished the series as the leading wicket-taker alongside Rainey.
Brief Scores: Ireland 239/10 in 50 overs (Leah Paul 70, Laura Delany 41; Hannah Rainey 5/41) beat Scotland 206/10 in 49 overs (Kathryn Bryce 83, Priyanaz Chatterji 32; Arlene Kelly 4/35, Cara Murray 3/36) by 33 runs