Batting highlight in NZ demolition of Ireland

Classy New Zealand batting was a feature of the home side's victory over Ireland on the third day of the CricInfo Women's Cricket World Cup at the BIL Oval in Lincoln.

An unbeaten 49 with shots all round the wicket earned the New Zealand opener Paula Flannery the CricInfo Player of the Match award. With contributions of 19 by Rebecca Rolls and 26 from Anna O'Leary, the 100-run target set by Ireland was reached in the 25th over with the loss of two wickets.

Ireland survived to the last of their 50 overs after winning the toss and deciding to bat. However, their 99 reflected difficulties in getting the ball away and a tendency to self-destruct, four of the wickets falling to run outs. Their coach, John Wills, expressing disappointment with the batting display, saying it was not possible to give away four run outs at the best of times.

He also said he felt there was some nervousness among the top order. However, this match and the next against Australia were seen as offering "a learning curve," giving them the experience to carry on to matches against the other teams in the tournament.

Ireland had chosen to bat first because there was no possibility of their bowling out New Zealand on the beautiful pitch at the BIL Oval. They had strengthened the batting line-up in order to give the batswomen some experience under pressure. That may not have eventuated but Wills was pleased with his bowlers and the efforts in the field. The performance had given his team something to carry forward to future matches.

Although Ireland managed only a modest total, a seventh wicket 43-run partnership between Caitriona Beggs (31) and Nikki Squire (19) did test the New Zealanders. And their coach, Mike Shrimpton, signalled that the bowling and fielding had not been up to the standard the team set themselves.

"Australia is the standard by which we judge ourselves," he said. That judgement was based on how Australia would have dealt with some bowling that tended to be both sides of the wicket. "There is always a danger," he said, "in getting away with bowling poorly." Sixteen wides were evidence of some misdirected deliveries.

Shrimpton, however, was much happier with the stint, albeit short, at the batting crease. The team had been keen to make use of the outstanding batting strip. Losing the toss had left them rueing a lost opportunity and leaving the likelihood of a rejigged line-up for the next match on Sunday against Sri Lanka.

What was on display in the short innings against Ireland, he said, was evidence of the work put in to develop a more aggressive approach among the batswomen, particularly in making use of the opportunities square of the wicket.

New Zealand may not have been given the workout that they were looking for but it was a special day for Catherine Campbell. Captain for the day in the absence of a rested Emily Drumm, she broke the women's one-day international world record for wickets taken, her second of the day taking her to 74 in 78 matches.

A comprehensive eight-wicket victory for New Zealand and another advance on the learning curve for Ireland.