England clinch ODI series sweep of Ireland as Sophia Dunkley hits second international century in 114-run win
England collapse from 260-4 to 291 all out after Sophia Dunkley (119 off 119 balls) hits run-a-ball century, but Ireland fail to threaten in run-chase; Lauren Filer (3-27), Mady Villiers (3-33) and Tilly Corteen-Coleman (2-34) impress as tourists are skittled for 177
Sunday 6 September 2026 17:45, UK
England secured a 3-0 sweep of Ireland as they won the third and final one-day international of the series by 114 runs in Worcester on Sunday.
Sophia Dunkley (119 off 119 balls) struck a run-a-ball century - her second in ODI cricket - as England set Ireland 292 to win, having been inserted by the visitors.
But Ireland never truly threatened in reply, despite a handful of starts for their top-order batters, as they were ultimately bowled out for 177 after 44.2 overs.
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England were also bowled out short of their allotted 50 overs, as the hosts collapsed from 183-1 in the 31st over and 260-4 in the 43rd to 291 all out after 48.5.
It wouldn't prove costly, however, as Lauren Filer (3-27), Mady Villiers (3-33) and Tilly Corteen-Coleman (2-34) starred with the ball to skittle Ireland and secure a series whitewash.
Dunkley continued her fine form with the bat this summer as she cracked 15 boundaries in her sublime knock, sharing in a 73-run opening partnership with Maia Bouchier and dominating a second-wicket century stand with Jodi Grewcock (35).
It laid the foundation for what looked set to be a sizeable score of around 350 or beyond, only for things to fall apart at the back end.
Alice Capsey (10) was run out cheaply, before Dunkley holed out in the deep, and though Dani Gibson (41 off 37) and Freya Kemp (23 off 21) cracked a few lusty blows in a 46-run partnership for the fifth wicket, England lost 6-31 in the space of little more than six overs thereafter.
Ireland captain Gaby Lewis claimed a terrific catch on the long-off boundary to see the back of Kemp and trigger the collapse, with leg-spinner Cara Murray (4-56) claiming a career-first four-for.
Filer (16) dismissed Lewis early on in the Ireland reply, before Alice Tector (29) and Amy Hunter (39) laid the foundations with a 56-run second-wicket stand - but too slowly.
The tourists began to fall behind the required rate, and there was only to be one winner when the wickets began to tumble.
Corteen-Coleman first bowled Tector, Capsey then claimed a couple of stumpings - Hunter and Rebecca Stokell (14) - to continue her successful wicketkeeping audition in this series, before Orla Prendergast (24) was caught at deep midwicket.
Corteen-Coleman then cleaned up another batter, Louise Little (14), as Ireland lost their last five wickets for 10 runs in under four overs - Filer finishing off the job by dismantling Kia McCartney's stumps.
Dunkley: I want to open in all formats
Player of the series and match Sophia Dunkley:
"It was just great to get the series win today.
"It was definitely tricky at the start. The longer you batted the easier it got. It was nice to get through that period and see us home.
"For me, it is just about staying really present. I love batting for whatever team I am playing for and it is great to be at the top of the order again in ODI cricket.
"It is definitely my goal to be at the top of the order in all formats."
Farrant: Dunkley completed her goal
Sky Sports Cricket's Tash Farrant:
"Dunkley has scored big runs.
"We all know she can get off to fast and furious starts. The main goal for her this series will have been match-winning contributions.
"She wanted big runs and she has done that today."
England vs Ireland - ODI series results
- First ODI (Leicester) - England win by six wickets
- Second ODI (Derby) - England win by six wickets
- Third ODI (Worcester) - England win by 114 runs
