The Sri Lanka Women’s cricket team began their tour of Ireland on a high note, claiming a decisive seven-wicket win in the first T20I at the Pembroke Cricket Club in Dublin. Despite the absence of their skipper Chamari Athapaththu, Sri Lanka’s batting prowess shone through, with Harshitha Samarawickrama playing a starring role.
Ireland’s Steady Start
Put into bat first, Ireland got off to a steady start with openers Gaby Lewis and Orla Prendergast building a solid 59-run partnership in just 49 balls. Lewis was the more aggressive of the two, playing some delightful strokes that kept the scoreboard ticking. Prendergast provided solid support, ensuring that Ireland had a stable platform to build upon.
As the innings progressed, Sri Lanka’s bowlers chipped away at the wickets, but Ireland managed to keep the runs flowing, thanks in part to Laura Delany and Rebecca Stockell’s contributions towards the end of the innings. Delany, the Irish skipper, played a crucial role with her quickfire 25, hitting a couple of boundaries in the death overs to push Ireland to a respectable total of 145/6 in their 20 overs.
Sri Lanka’s Dominant Response
Sri Lanka’s chase was spearheaded by Harshitha Samarawickrama, whose unbeaten 86 off just 45 balls was the backbone of their innings. The visitors began their chase with a clear intent to dominate. Vimshi Gunaratne set the tone early on, taking 15 runs off an over from Ava Cunning, which included a boundary and a six.
Gunaratne’s quick 30 provided Sri Lanka with the momentum they needed, and even after her dismissal, Samarawickrama ensured that the scoring rate never dipped. Samarawickrama displayed a fine blend of power and finesse, regularly finding the boundary and rotating the strike to keep the pressure on the Irish bowlers. By the time the Irish bowlers could strike, the damage had been done, and the match had already slipped out of their grasp.
Samarawickrama’s knock was not just aggressive but also intelligently paced, making sure that Sri Lanka stayed well ahead of the required run rate. Her efforts were complemented by the supporting roles played by her teammates, ensuring that Sri Lanka chased down the target of 146 with 20 balls to spare, finishing at 149/3.
Key Performances
- Harshitha Samarawickrama: Her unbeaten 86 off 45 balls was a masterclass in T20 batting, mixing caution with aggression. Her ability to find the gaps and clear the boundaries with ease made her the standout performer of the match.
- Vimshi Gunaratne: Her quickfire 30 at the top of the order set the tone for Sri Lanka’s chase and provided the perfect platform for Samarawickrama to build on.
- Inoshi Priyadharshani: Chipping in with two crucial wickets, Priyadharshani was the pick of the Sri Lankan bowlers, helping to restrict Ireland to a manageable total.
FAQs
Harshitha Samarawickrama was the top scorer with an unbeaten 86 off 45 balls.
Ireland scored 145/6 in their 20 overs.
Sri Lanka chased down the target of 146 in 16.4 overs with 7 wickets remaining.
Inoshi Priyadharshani was the most effective, taking 2 wickets for 35 runs.
Sri Lanka won the 1st T20I by 7 wickets.
Conclusion
The first T20I of the Sri Lanka Women’s tour of Ireland 2024 showcased the visitors’ dominance, especially through Harshitha Samarawickrama’s brilliant innings. Her knock ensured that Sri Lanka took the lead in the series, setting the tone for what promises to be an exciting contest between the two teams. As Sri Lanka aims to build on this victory, Ireland will look to regroup and bounce back in the upcoming matches. This series opener has certainly set the stage for some thrilling cricket ahead.
