Harshitha Samarawickrama, who opened the innings, played a remarkable knock of 86 not out off 45 balls, hitting 15 fours and a six, as the Sri Lanka Women’s team recorded an easy 7-wicket win with 20 balls to spare over Ireland Women in their first T20 of the three-match series played in Dublin yesterday.
Chasing a target of 146, the Sri Lankan openers, Harshitha Samarawickrama and Vishmi Gunaratne, made a superb stand of 83 runs in ten overs. Harshitha was particularly aggressive, reaching her fifty in 29 balls with 9 fours and a six. She was well-supported by the young Vishmi Gunaratne, who scored 30 off 34 balls with 3 fours and a six. Harshitha, the left-hander, continued her innings to complete her career-best knock of 86, sealing the victory with a boundary and taking the series lead 1-0.
Earlier, Ireland Women, invited to bat first, made 145 for 6 wickets, with Gaby Lewis top-scoring with 39 off 33 balls. Off-spinner Inoshi Fernando was the most successful bowler, taking 2 for 35. Harshitha Samarawickrama was named Player of the Match for her superb knock.
The two teams will meet for their second T20 tomorrow (13) at the same venue.
Chief scores
Ireland women’s 145 for 6 wickets in 20 overs Amy Hunter 17, Gaby Lewis 39, Orla Prendergast 29, Laura Delaney 25, Rebecca Stokell 21*, Udeshika Probodhani 1/20, Inoshi Fernando 2/35, Sugandika Kumari 1/23.
Sri Lanka women’s 149 for 3 wickets in 16.4 overs Vishmi Gunaratne 30, Harshitha Samarawickrama 86*, Anushka Sanjeewani 12 .
