Australia down Ireland in rain-hit women's one-dayer

The Australian women's team defeated their Irish counterparts on Thursday at Leinster Cricket Club, Rathmines, Dublin, in the first game of a three-match one-day international series.

The Australians won a rain-affected match with a superior scoring rate, having scored 119 for 5 from 36 overs, to pass their revised target of 117.

Ireland batted first after their new captain Nikki Squire won the toss. Caitriona Beggs (45 from 93 balls, five fours) and Clare O'Leary (42 from 89 balls, five fours) held the Irish batting together before the home side was all out for 132 in the fiftieth over. This was Ireland's highest total in a 50-over-a-side ODI against Australia (although they did reach 145 for 4 in sixty overs in the 1993 World Cup).

For Australia, Therese McGregor took 3/21 with Julie Hayes, Charmaine Mason and Lisa Sthalekar claiming two wickets each.

Michelle Goszko top scored when it was Australia's turn to bat, making an unbeaten 36, with Lisa Keightley contributing 28. Wicket-takers for Ireland were Saibh Young, Miriam Grealey and Barbara McDonald.

The two remaining one-day internationals in this series, which concludes Australia's tour of the British Isles, will be played at College Park, Dublin on Saturday and Sunday.