Lanning stars as Australia defeat Ireland

IRELAND WOMEN were on the receiving end of a record breaking knock by Australian skipper Meg Lanning who led her side to a convincing 78 run win - a record margin in women's T20 cricket.

Lanning's 126 from 65 balls (18 fours, 4 sixes) was the highest individual score in women's Twenty20 history, as Australia racked up an imposing 191 for 4 - another record for the competition.

It was a familiar story in the field for Ireland, who dropped Lanning three times, which allowed the 22 year-old - the youngest player to captain an Australian side - to take full advantage as she pumelled the Irish attack to all parts of the picturesque Sylhet International Stadium.

Lanning pulled and drove with imperious power, entertaining the 3,300 crowd who gave her a standing ovation as she became only the third woman to score a T20 international century - passing 1000 runs in the shortest format of the game in the process.

Lanning eventually perished from the penultimate ball of the innings, caught by Delany at fine leg, but by that stage the damage was well and truly done.

She shared an 86 run second-wicket partnership with opener Delissa Kimmince (35) following the stumping of Alyssa Healy by Mary Waldron off the bowling of Eimear Richardson with the score on 21 for 1. She then thoroughly dominated a third wicket stand of 83 with Alex Blackwell, who contributed a run a ball 12.

Elena Tice (1-25) was the pick of the Irish attack, while the other wicket takers were Isobel Joyce (1-32) and Eimear Richardson (1-50).

Ireland never threatened such a daunting total, but to their credit batted sensibly to eventually finish on 113 for 7.

Emma Flanagan fell cheaply, but Clare Shillington (22) and Isobel Joyce (28) added 48 for the second wicket.

Elena Tice made a breezy 19 from 15 balls, while there were also double figure contributions from Melissa Scott-Hayward and Cecelia Joyce, who both made 11.

Ireland are next in action on Saturday when they take on South Africa, while their Group fixtures conclude against Pakistan on Monday.