Harshitha 86* dumps Ireland by seven wickets in first WT20I

Tuesday, 13 August 2024 00:02 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Harshitha Samarawickrama led Sri Lanka’s charge with an unbeaten 86

Sri Lanka’s Asia Cup final winning star batter, Harshitha Samarawickrama followed her knock of 69* against India with another impressive display of batting scoring 86* off 45 balls to send her team galloping to a 17th over seven-wicket win against Ireland in the first WT20I played at Dublin on Sunday.

Ireland had put together what had seemed a competitive 145-6 after being sent in, with contributions from opener Gaby Lewis (39 off 33 balls), Oria Prendergast (29 off 27), Captain Laura Delany (25 off 21), and Rebecca Stokell (21* off 16). Prendergast and Lewis had supplied the innings, a foundation with a 59-run second-wicket stand.

But the total was no match for a Sri Lanka side flying high on confidence following their Asia Cup win. Samarawickrama, who top-scored in their chase in that final too, combined with Vishmi Gunaratne (30 off 34 balls) in an opening stand worth 83 off 10 overs.

Samarawickrama then largely took control of the remainder of the chase, hitting 15 fours and one six in all, as the remainder of the top order produced small innings in support. Sri Lanka will be especially buoyed by pulling off this chase without their best player, Chamari Athapaththu, who is with the Hundred team. Samarawickrama’s 86* is the fourth-highest T20I score by a Sri Lankan batter, and the highest by anyone other than Athapaththu.

On the bowling front, the left-arm seam of Udeshika Prabhodani and the left-arm spin of Sugandika Kumari were effective at keeping a lid on Ireland’s scoring. Off-spinner Insoshi Priyadharshani collected the game’s best figures, however, taking 2/35. Freya Sargent, Arlene Kelly and Delany struck for Ireland, but they were unable as a unit to contain Samarawickrama.

The second WT20I takes place at the same venue today.

Scores: Ireland Women 145-6 (20) (Gaby Lewis 39, Orla Prendergast 29, Laura Delaney 25, Rebecca Stokell 21*, Inoshi Priyadharshini 2/35)

Sri Lanka Women 149-3 (16.4) (Vishmi Gunaratne 30, Harshitha Samarawickrama 86*)