Ireland batter Amy Hunter shattered records in the fourth ODI between Ireland Women and Zimbabwe Women at Harare as she became the youngest player to score a century in international cricket. The 16-year-old scored an unbeaten 121 as the visitors gained a victory against Zimbabwe by 85 runs.
Playing her fourth ODI match, Hunter scored the magnificent knock in 127 balls. In the process, she also broke the record of the highest score by an Ireland Women’s player, surpassing Karen Young’s 120.
Hunter had a poor start to her career, scoring only seven runs in the first three ODIs. Her outstanding century in the fourth game helped Ireland post 312/3 in 50 overs. The visitors went on to win the game by 85 runs to take the series by 3-1.
The Irish youngster broke the record, previously held by India’s Mithali Raj, who had registered her maiden hundred against Ireland in June 1999 at the age of 16 years and 205 days.
In men’s cricket, the record belongs to the former Pakistan international Shahid Afridi, who smashed 102 in an ODI against Sri Lanka in 1996 at the age of 16 years and 217 days.
No player in the history of men’s or women’s senior international cricket has scored a century at a younger age in any of the three formats.
“It feels really good, it’s a bit surreal right now. When I was coming up to my fifty, I just wanted to stick by and get there, then when I came to my hundred I didn’t know what to do, take my helmet off or keep it on, but it was unbelievable,”
the 16-year-old stated after the match.
Hunter added 143 runs for the third wicket with skipper Laura Delany, who scored 68 off 53. Hunter appreciated all the support she had received from the captain.
