When Ireland Women’s captain Laura Delany called for a big partnership in the second one-day international against Netherlands after the below-par batting display on Monday, she could not have dreamt of the biggest ever by Ireland, men or women.

But that is what Leah Paul and Delany produced in Amstelveen yesterday as they put on 236 for the third wicket in Ireland Women’s record total of 337 for eight.

Both batters hit their maiden centuries, Paul’s 137 surpassing Amy Hunter’s previous highest individual total of 121 not out, against Zimbabwe last October, and Delany cruelly run out via a deflection from the bowler’s leg for 109.

Cara Murray then took centre stage, becoming just the fourth bowler to take five wickets for Ireland in a Women’s ODI as the Dutch were bowled out for 127 to give Ireland a series win, before tomorrow’s final match.

The Waringstown leg spinner was actually involved in seven dismissals as she started the Dutch innings with a sensational one-handed catch, low to her right at slip, in the first over – to follow her superb take off her own bowling in the first game.

A second catch, at mid-wicket, followed between her first and second wickets and she claimed her first five-for with the last ball of her 10th over when Eva Lynch hit a leading edge to mid-off.

Scores: Ireland 337-8 (L Paul 137, L Delany 109, A Hunter 22, G Lewis 15, O Prendergast 14)
Netherlands 127 (33.2 overs, C Murray 5-39, R Delaney 2-29, G Dempsey 1-11, L Delany 1-17).
Ireland Women won by 210 runs.