GABY LEWIS launched a boundary blitz at the Harare Sports Club yesterday to fire Ireland to a 10-wicket DLS victory over Zimbabwe and a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three one day international series.

In a rain-reduced match, Lewis clubbed eight of the first 16 balls she faced to the ropes, and added three further fours and a six to finish 65 not out from 41 balls as the Girls in Green made light of a revised target of 110 from 21 overs.

Lewis received great support from wicketkeeper Amy Hunter, who made 36 not out from 39 balls after being pushed up to open the innings, as she does in T20s, and the victory target was reached with 7.5 overs to spare.

Hunter’s quick hands had earlier brought her two stumpings, one each off the bowling of spinners Freya Sargent and Cara Murray, who shared six wickets as the home side were dismissed for 170 in 42.5 overs.

The second ODI takes place on Sunday, with the final game on Tuesday to be followed by five T20 internationals.

Meanwhile, Philip le Roux will captain Ireland against the USA in the first match of the U19 World Cup in Bloemfontein today with the winners likely to progress to the Super Six stage along with Group A favourites India and Bangladesh.