BIPIN DANI
It was a double delight for Ireland's 16-year-old Amy Hunter, who not only became the youngest international centurion but her unbeatern ODI ton came on her 16th birthday enabled the Ireland women's team to register a win against Zimbabwe.
Interestingly, Hunter overtook the record which was held by India's Mithali Raj, against Ireland. Mithali had scored 114 (n.o.) in an ODI at the age of 16 years and 205 days in June 1999.
“We are just so excited for Amy, although there is also a lot of relief there, as we know how hard she works and how many hours of training she puts in”, her mother Sara Hunter says exclusively.
“Amy has been playing boys cricket since a young age, and she showed a true passion for cricket from an early age. She said she found cricket addictive, and as parents we saw that in how she has dedicated herself to the game.”
Sara's both parents-father Jim- are doctors by profession.
“Amy has just flown in from Zimbabwe and is exhausted after the tour and all the media attention over the last 48 hours. She’ll rest up with a day off school, but in true style she is planning to be back out there this weekend playing hockey for her school”, the mother continued.
“We are so thankful that we could follow Amy’s innings on the livestream, as we couldn’t travel out there, and appreciate Zimbabwe Cricket for putting that on - and thankful for the Irish coaches and support staff that looked after Amy and her teammates in the tour.”
Amy's brother, James is also a cricketer, informs Norman Shannon, the chairman of the cricket committee of the Instonians Cricket Club. "We are proud of Amy's superb performance. Amy and James played for our club. Now she plays for Malahide Cricket Club in the South as a higher standard. She is the only girl to score a hundred for Instonians Women's team", he added.
