After Amy Hunter, Leah Paul, and Rebecca Stokel scored half centuries, Arlene Kelly claimed three wickets to put the finishing touches on an Ireland victory that was 15 runs clear of Sri Lanka in the second One-Day International played in Belfast.
Like the first ODI on Friday, though, Sri Lanka forced the hosts to work for their victory. With an outstanding all-around performance from Kavisha Dilhari and an incredible maiden ODI century from the highly-effective Harshitha Samarawickrama, Sri Lanka gained some measure of control in their pursuit of 256. Following a 126-run partnership between the two, Ireland responded by taking eight wickets in 98 balls and needing 84 runs in order to win. Kelly, Jane Maguire, and run-outs combined to end the visitors’ chase.
“Despite a century from Harshitha Samarawickrama, Ireland leads 2-0.”
Samarawickrama’s 105 off 124 balls made her the third player to join Sri Lanka’s ODI centurions club, one game after Chamari Athapaththu’s lengthy tenure as the team’s only player was ended by Vishmi Gunaratne.
After winning the first ODI through 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 spell, 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.
Brief scores: Sri Lanka Women 240 in 48 overs (Harshitha Samarawickrama 105, Kavisha Dilhari 53, Chamari Athapaththu 22, Nilakshi Silva 24*; Arlene Kelly 3-41, Jane Maguire 2-33) were defeated by Ireland Women 255 for 5 in 50 overs (Leah Paul 81, Amy Hunter 66, Rebecca Stokell 53*, Christine Coulter-Reilly 24; Kavisha Dilhari 2-35, Achini Kulasuriya 2-48) by a margin of 15 runs.
(Cricinfo)
