Harshitha Samarawickrama leads Sri Lanka to an emphatic win over Ireland in the first Women’s T20I

In the opening match of the Sri Lanka Women tour of Ireland 2024, Sri Lanka Women claimed a comfortable 7-wicket victory over Ireland Women at Pembroke Cricket Club, Sandymount. After electing to bowl first, the visitors showcased a balanced performance with both bat and ball, setting the tone for the series.

Ireland posts a moderate total

Ireland Women, after being put into bat, managed to post a respectable total of 145/6 in their 20 overs. Gaby Lewis led the Irish batting effort with a steady 39 off 33 balls, supported by contributions from Orla Prendergast (29 off 27) and Laura Delany (25 off 21).

Despite a solid start, the Irish innings lacked the acceleration needed in the middle overs, largely due to disciplined bowling from the Sri Lankan attack. Inoshi Fernando was the pick of the bowlers, taking 2 wickets for 35 runs, while Udeshika Prabodhani and Sugandika Kumari each picked up a wicket, keeping the Irish batters in check.

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Harshitha Samarawickrama shines

Chasing 146 for victory, Sri Lanka Women made light work of the target, reaching 149/3 in just 16.4 overs. The chase was masterfully orchestrated by Harshitha Samarawickrama, who played a scintillating knock of 86 off 45 balls, featuring 15 fours and a six.

Her aggressive approach put the Irish bowlers under constant pressure and ensured that Sri Lanka remained ahead of the required rate throughout the innings. Vishmi Rajapaksha Gunaratne provided valuable support with 30 off 34 balls, helping to build a strong foundation.

Although Ireland managed to claim three wickets, with Freya Sargent, Delany, and Arlene Kelly each taking one, it was not enough to stem the flow of runs. Sri Lanka’s commanding performance with the bat saw them cruise to a well-deserved victory.

A comprehensive win

Sri Lanka Women’s dominant performance in both departments earned them a convincing win and a 1-0 lead in the series. Samarawickrama was rightfully named Player of the Match for her outstanding innings, which played a crucial role in her team’s success. Ireland Women will need to regroup and come up with a stronger performance in the next match to level the series.

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This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.

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August 12, 2024 at 11:45AM