Maia Bouchier leads England's record ODI chase

Maia Bouchier hit her second one-day international century as England chased down 282 to beat Ireland by six wickets in the second ODI at Grace Road, the highest successful run chase in the team's history.

Bouchier made 104 off 95 balls after an opening stand of 143 with Sophia Dunkley, who scored 73 before holing out to a return catch off leg-spinner Cara Murray. England reached the target with 71 balls to spare.

Bouchier was left out of England's T20 World Cup squad in June. Asked about that decision after the innings, she reflected on missing the tournament and on what lies ahead.

«Obviously gutting that I missed out on the World Cup,».

«But it was a really good way to play some more cricket [for Hampshire] and take the positives instead of the negatives. There's a lot of opportunity next year which is really exciting. If I can just put my name out there and score those big runs, I hope that will take care of itself».

England fielded a much-changed side against Ireland, missing regular captain Nat Sciver-Brunt through injury and resting Lauren Bell, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Sophie Ecclestone, Amy Jones and Linsey Smith. The 21-year-old Jodi Grewcock, batting at three, was bowled by Murray for nine, while off-spinning all-rounder Mady Villiers returned to white-ball cricket after two years out. Alice Capsey and Freya Kemp finished the chase with a flurry of boundaries.

Former England captain Heather Knight, who has since retired from the side along with Tammy Beaumont, said the aggression shown by Bouchier and Dunkley at the top of the order pointed to how England mean to approach next year's Ashes against Australia.

With Sciver-Brunt sidelined and senior players rested, the series against Ireland has become a proving ground for the squad England will build without Knight and Beaumont. Bouchier's century, on the back of missing out on the T20 World Cup, strengthens her case for a leading role in that side.