What a sweet 16th this was for Amy Hunter.
Scoring an unbeaten century during the Irish cricket squad’s test match against host side Zimbabwe today, she played a big part in the Girls in Green’s ultimate 3-1 series triumph.
Hitting 121 out of the 127 balls delivered to her, the Instonian’s wicketkeeper now grips the world record for the youngest player across any gender to hit an International century in a single day.
Take a bow Amy Hunter. 👏
With her maiden Hundred in international cricket, she becomes the youngest ever centurion in Women’s one-day international cricket at just 16 years old today. 🎉☘️🏏@HanleyEnergy | #BackingGreen pic.twitter.com/1QygmtU1mu
— Ireland Women’s Cricket (@IrishWomensCric) October 11, 2021
Having only made her debut against Scotland in May and her inaugural One-Day appearance in the first game of the series on October 5th, the teenager only collected seven runs from three innings prior to today’s sensational outing.
Speaking on the distinction Hunter remarked how it was all a bit “surreal” just yet and that the achievement was an “unbelievable” feeling.
When I was coming up to my 50th I just wanted to stick by and get there but when I was coming up to my 100th I actually had no idea what to do” she says.
“I didn’t know whether to take the helmet off or keep it on or anything!”
“Obviously I didn’t do so well in the first three games so I was just delighted to be out there and get that first four away. From there it just kind of flew like the 50 to the 100 felt like it went a lot quicker than the 0 to 50.”
She wasn’t the only one reaching new frontiers either. The Irish national team as a collective didn’t just earn their first two way victory away from home, they also gathered their highest innings in their ODI history when they picked up 312 for three.
The confidence gained from all of this will set themselves up well for the World Cup qualifiers next month and beyond where Irish Cricket will be optimistic such form can continue.
