England v Ireland: Sophia Dunkley's century seals hosts' dominant series clean sweep
BBC Sport
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Figure caption
Superb Dunkley innings ended on 119 by Prendergast boundary catch
By Ffion Wynne, BBC Sport journalist at New Road
Published 6 September 2026, 17:08 BST Updated 27 minutes ago
Third ODI, New Road, Worcester
England 291 (48.5 overs):
- Dunkley 119 (119)
- Murray 4-56
Ireland 177 (44.2 overs):
- Hunter 39 (58)
- Filer 3-27
England won by 114 runs; win series 3-0
Scorecard
Sophia Dunkley's sparkling century led England to a comprehensive 114-run win in the third and final one-day international against Ireland at Worcester.
Dunkley's run-a-ball 119 set up England's 291 before Ireland were bowled out for 177 in 44.2 overs, sealing a 3-0 clean sweep for Charlie Dean's side.
Match Summary
England were eyeing a record total after opener Dunkley's second international century, but the innings fell away from 260-4 and they frustratingly lost their last six wickets for just 31 runs to be dismissed with seven balls unused.
Dunkley added 73 for the first wicket with Maia Bouchier, who continued her fine run of form with 39, before Jodi Grewcock also wasted a good start as she was caught and bowled for 35 and Alice Capsey was unlucky to be run out backing up for 10.
All-rounders Freya Kemp and Dani Gibson threatened to push England beyond 300 but it was the former's wicket that kickstarted the collapse as she was caught at long-on for 23, and a run of single-figure scores followed, though Gibson kicked on to an ODI-best 41.
Leg-spinner Cara Murray was the pick of Ireland's bowlers with 4-56 as the visitors fought back admirably, and England only managed to hit seven boundaries after Dunkley's departure in the 36th over.
Despite the disappointing end to the innings, England still had plenty on the board in another non-contest between bat and ball.
Amy Hunter top-scored with 39, but no Irish batter was able to score at a strike-rate above 100, and the run-rate spiralled beyond their grasp, as Mady Villiers and Lauren Filer took three wickets apiece.
Post-Match Reflections
The final match of the series concludes England's international summer. Their next confirmed games will come at the Champions Trophy in February, though a multi-format series against West Indies in the autumn and three ODIs against Sri Lanka are in the schedule, but the dates have not been released.
Dunkley delivers to close the summer
This has been a series with an unusual context for England.
Key stars such as Lauren Bell, Sophie Ecclestone and Nat Sciver-Brunt have been rested, which has presented opportunities to experiment with the likes of fringe players in Grewcock and Tilly Corteen-Coleman.
But the curious cricketing calendar means they have few opportunities to play the format, with the autumn schedule still unconfirmed and their next home ODI coming in the Ashes next summer, meaning they have been simultaneously seeking stability.
The opening partnership was one question that needed answering after Tammy Beaumont's retirement earlier this year, and a century apiece for Dunkley and Bouchier in this series has seen them take thei