England secured a six-wicket win against Ireland at Derby in the second one-day international on Thursday, sealing the series. Seamer Issy Wong delivered a career-best performance, taking five wickets for 33 runs.
Wong, given the new ball in the absence of Lauren Bell, bowled with accuracy and control, dismissing Ireland captain Gaby Lewis by knocking over her leg stump. She then tore through the lower-middle order as Ireland attempted to accelerate but were bowled out for 165.
The performance was a sharp contrast to Wong's showing in the first ODI, where she bowled four consecutive wides in her opening spell, raising concerns about her form after being initially left out by England three years ago.
Amy Hunter, 20, held the Ireland innings together with a determined half-century but was eventually Wong's fifth wicket, caught at deep midwicket for 64 as Ireland's innings collapsed.
In England's reply, Maia Bouchier ran out Sophia Dunkley before holing out to short fine leg five runs short of a fifty. Alice Capsey was trapped leg-before by Kia McCartney's off-break. Jodi Grewcock scored 24 but pulled Cara Murray straight to Lewis. Freya Kemp and Dani Gibson then accelerated England's chase, with Gibson hitting two sixes off Murray in the 23rd over to clinch victory with 27 overs remaining.
Compared to the first ODI, England produced a more convincing all-round display, despite bowler-friendly conditions and a damp outfield following overnight rain.
England captain Charlie Dean slipped during her follow-through while fielding, grazing her knee, and was off the field for one over while changing her torn trousers. England also lost both DRS reviews due to miscommunication between Dean and Capsey. Capsey additionally dropped an edge from Louise Little, drawing further scrutiny over her wicketkeeping.
Dean's bowling changes proved effective, with off-spinner Mady Villiers taking wickets in consecutive overs, including the key dismissal of Orla Prendergast, who was again caught on the rope after misjudging the boundary.
Earlier, Dunkley marked her 50th ODI with a direct-hit run out of Alice Tector from mid-off, but her innings ended when she was run out by Prendergast from cover following a poor call from Bouchier.
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