Amy Hunter

Amy Hunter

Amy Hunter celebrated her 50th T20 international with a top score of 31 not out as Ireland began their World Cup qualifying campaign with a commanding 10-wicket victory over Germany in Rotterdam.

The 19-year-old from Belfast helped her skipper and opening partner Gaby Lewis knock off the 63 to win in just 7.3 overs after Laura Delany had taken the bowling honours with 4-9 from 14 deliveries.

“It’s always brilliant to win the first game in any series or tournament, especially a qualifier,” Delany said, after receiving the player-of-the-match award.

“It was a great team performance in the field, and nice to get over the line and secure that first victory.”

Any other result would have been a major shock against the German part-timers and the Girls in Green can expect a tougher test on Thursday from the Netherlands who beat Italy by 43 runs to get their campaign underway.

With only four teams competing for the two World Cup places, the hosts and Ireland can be supremely confident of qualifying and Lewis will expect her full-time professionals to go through the six-game tournament unbeaten.