Ireland Women Secure 2-0 Series Lead Despite Samarawickrama’s Century
Ireland Women defeated Sri Lanka by 15 runs in Belfast, taking an unbeatable 2-0 lead in their One-Day International series.
Amy Hunter, Leah Paul, and Rebecca Stokell all scored half century to help the hosts win, while Arlene Kelly took three wickets in the final over. Amy Hunter, Leah Paul, and Rebecca Stokell’s half-centuries set the stage for a 15-run triumph.
Key Performances and Match Results
Sri Lanka Women 240 (Samarawickrama 105, Dilhari 53, Kelly 3-41, Maguire 2-33) lost to Ireland Women 255 for 5 (Paul 81, Hunter 66, Stokell 53*, Dilhari 2-35, Kulasuriya 2-48) by 15 runs.
Ireland defeated Sri Lanka by 15 runs in the second One-Day International (ODI) in Belfast. Amy Hunter, Leah Paul, and Rebecca Stokell scored half century to lay the groundwork, while Arlene Kelly claimed three wickets to put the final touches on the victory. Ireland now lead Sri Lanka 2-0.
But much like in the opening ODI on Friday, Sri Lanka forced the hosts to work for their win. Sri Lanka gained some control in their pursuit of 256 thanks to a standout all-around performance from Kavisha Dilhari and a first-ever ODI century from the highly effective Harshitha Samarawickrama. After a 126-run partnership between the two, Ireland struck back, using run-outs, Jane Maguire, and Kelly to stop the visitors’ pursuit for 84 runs in 98 balls and eight wickets remaining.
One match after Chamari Athapaththu’s lengthy tenure as the team’s only representative ended due to Vishmi Gunaratne’s 104-ball 105, Samarawickrama became the third player to join Sri Lanka’s ODI centurions club.
After winning the first ODI by a record-breaking chase, Ireland produced a fantastic batting performance once again after being sent in. After Achini Kulasuriya dismissed both of their openers during her new ball period, they were 77 for 3 when Dilhari removed their centurion, Orla Prendergast, on Friday. After a 57-run fourth-wicket stand between Hunter and Paul got things going, Athapaththu struck to send Hunter back for a 71-ball 66.
Then came the partnership between Paul and Stokell, who added 114 runs off 112 balls for the fifth wicket, setting Ireland up for their winning chase. While Stokell finished unbeaten on 53 off 61, Paul was out for 81 off 101 balls in the final over.
