Kelly and Paul inspire Ireland to ODI series victory 

Arlene Kelly took 4-35 to remove the Scottish tail while Leah Paul chipped in with a fifth career ODI half-century in Spain

SUPER BOWLING: Ireland's Arlene Kelly. Pic: Mateo Villalba

Career-best bowling figures by Arlene Kelly, along with a fifth career ODI half-century from Leah Paul, secured an ODI series win for Ireland, and a 2-1 lead over Scotland in the ‘Women’s ODI and T20I Celtic Challenge’ in Spain.

Kelly, playing in her sixteenth ODI, took 4-35 to remove the Scottish tail, after Kathyrn Byrce (83) looked to have put Scotland in control before falling to an excellent Georgina Dempsey delivery in the 37th over. Opening batter Paul, scored her second successive half-century, and went on to score 70 as Ireland posted 239-9.

Earlier in the day Ireland captain Laura Delany won the toss and elected to bat, despite blustery conditions.

Once again patience was required at the top of the order, and openers Paul and Gaby Lewis put 29 runs on the board before a change of bowler made the breakthrough - Hannah Rainey coming in to remove Lewis (16) with a delivery that clipped her off-stump.

After the dismissal of Lewis, Paul and Amy Hunter dug in, and posted a 78-run second wicket partnership, before Hunter (37) was caught behind, with Ireland 107-2 midway through their innings.

Orla Prendergast went for one, before skipper Delany came in at number five, registering her 1000th ODI career run from her first ball.

Paul scored her half-century off 87 balls, but was subsequently caught behind by Sarah Bryce for 70.

A seventh-wicket partnership of 41 between Delany (41) and Kelly (26) helped Ireland to bat out the 50 overs. Hannah Rainey with superb bowling figures of 5-41 for Scotland.

Ireland got off to a positive start with the ball as Bready all-rounder Alana Dalzell struck with her very first delivery, clean bowling Sarah Bryce (2) for her maiden international wicket.

Scotland’s Maryam Faisal and Kathryn Bryce combined for a 58-run partnership. However, leg spinner Cara Murray came into the attack for those crucial middle overs, removing Faisal (26), followed by Chatterji (32), and Lorna Jack (9) in a deadly spell of bowling to give Ireland a strong foothold in the game once more.

The wicket of Kathryn Bryce was becoming ever more crucial however, and Delany surprisingly turned to Lewis in the 29th over, and it nearly paid off with a difficult boundary catch dropped after Bryce tried to blast her over the long on boundary.

With Scotland ahead of the required run-rate, Georgina Dempsey finally removed Bryce (83) with a beautiful delivery that kept low and beat her for pace.

It was then that Kelly stepped up to tear through the tail, taking the final four wickets to bowl Scotland out 34 runs short of their target.

The sides will meet again on Monday, 23 October for the first of two T20Is at the same venue with a 2pm start Irish time.

Ireland Women v Scotland Women, 3rd ODI, Desert Springs, Almeria, Spain: Ireland Women 239-9 (50 overs; L Paul 70, L Delany 41; H Rainey 5-41) Scotland Women 206 (49 overs; K Bryce 83, P Chatterji 32; A Kelly 4-35) Ireland Women won by 33 runs