*AUSTRALIA WOMEN VS IRELAND WOMEN 3rd ODI IN A 3 MATCH ODI SERIES 2023 PREVIEW*
*THE BUILD UP:*
*WHAT DO THE IRISH HAVE IN THE BANK?:*
A proper beating, one which the Irish would remember whenever they think of Australia and what better than to watch Perry go about her business, slowly and steadily hurting the Irish Women and ultimately bagging the Player of the Match award as well. It takes awhile to get over a 153 run defeat and even more so when none of the players other than Amy Hunter could breach past the 50 run mark, a stat which Ireland would love to forget as they gear up for the third and the final ODI of this series to be played at the same venue. Australia enjoyed every bit of their cricket in the second game and would be happy to continue bossing it without causing much hassles whereas a better show and some more fight is expected out of Ireland, who looked hapless.
*IRE W PROBABLE XI:*
R Stokell, Amy Hunter (wk), GH Lewis, O Prendergast, AN Kelly, L Delany (C), L Paul, MV Waldron, Cara Murray, Ava Canning, Georgina Dempsey
Stokell has been a poor bet with the bat. She has scored just 26 runs in her last five innings. Her recent form is the only reason why she is not a bankable player heading into this fixture which could decide the fate of this series. However, when the pressure is the highest, players often find a reason to thrive and for Stokell, this game’s magnitude could be the reason.
Watch out for Georgina Dempsey, who was the pick of the bowling crew for Ireland last game as she went onto bag a crucial 4 wicket haul while her peers were being hit for runs. To add to that, she gave away a mere 54 runs under an economy of 6, only to shine as the Aussies continued to pile up on the misery. She would be eager to repeat this kind of a performance and give her side a chance to level the series.
*AUS W PROBABLE XI:*
BL Mooney, Phoebe Litchfield, TM McGrath, EA Perry, A Gardner, KJ Garth, Alyssa Healy (C), Darcie Brown, G Wareham, A Sutherland, JL Jonassen
Ever since Litchfield has found a spot to open for Australia, Mooney has been pushed down the order but such is her flexibility and class that the southpaw has been able to churn out the runs even in the middle order and has made herself useful. She fell short of a fifty by just a single run last game and her invaluable contributions came to the rescue again. She would be looking forward to maintaining this good stead and dominate the Irish bowlers in their own home ground again. I am backing her to have a big game.
Georgia Wareham had a field day as she chipped in with a 29 run cameo first up to follow it up with a three wicket haul and crush Ireland. Her utility as an allrounder doesn’t come as a shock specially given how much work she is putting in behind the scenes in order to give it her all, for the team. She could be promoted a little up the order as well given Australia’s superiority in all departments to brush aside this IRE threat.
*MY PREDICTIONS:*
*FOR IRE:*
Highest run getter- Amy Hunter/Gaby Lewis
Highest wicket taker- Dempsey
*FOR AUS:*
Highest run getter- Beth Mooney/Elyse Perry
Highest wicket taker- Jess Jonassen/Wareham
*FOR THE GAME:*
Australia Women to win another win and wrap up the series 2-0