New-look England impress as history is made during run chase

Stand-in England captain Charlie Dean was thrilled after her side produced a record run chase to defeat Ireland by six wickets in the opening match of their three-game ODI series Leicester on Tuesday.

England successfully chased down Ireland's total of 281/5 for the loss of four wickets and with more than 11 overs to spare at Grace Road, with openers Maia Bouchier (104) and Sophia Dunkley (73) doing the majority of the damage in the clinical victory.

It was the highest successful ODI chase by England's women's side, eclipsing the previous best of 267/8 they managed against Australia in Bristol during the home Ashes in 2023 when recently retired pair Heather Knight and Tammy Beaumont were among the leading run-scorers.

It left Dean satisfied with the triumph, as England's new-look batting-order impressed in their first outing since the retirement of Knight and Beaumont.

"It was amazing to chase a high total like that down, and the way that we did it - it's credit to the girls. Trying to take on the opening Powerplay in 50-over cricket feels like good blueprint to have," Dean said post-match.

"Sophia and Maia did that remarkably, and didn't slow down after the Powerplay, extending the partnership. For Maia to get a hundred was exceptional."

Dean managed 2/44 with the ball to be the pick of the England bowlers, with skipper Gaby Lewis (69), Amy Hunter (62) and Rebecca Stokell (54*) each posting a half-century as Ireland managed to score freely when setting the hosts a decent victory target.

England will now look to wrap up the series when the teams travel to Derby for the second match of the series on Thursday and Dean is looking for an improved performance from her bowlers and in the field in that contest.

"We probably could have been a little tighter with the ball, to be honest, but to manage to restrict them, put on a performance like that and win in the end was brilliant," Dean noted.

"I can't fault the girls (for their fielding). It wasn't for a lack of trying, but I think we can definitely sharpen up in the field and with the ball."

Series schedule:

First ODI: England won by six wickets
Second ODI: September 3, Derby
Third ODI: September 6, Worcester