MATCH REPORT
Follow UsOn August 13 (Tuesday), Gaby Lewis struck an unbeaten 119 from 75 balls as Ireland Women beat Sri Lanka Women by 7 runs, registering their first-ever win over the Asia Cup champions.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, Lewis and Amy Hunter (9) started the innings with intent, striking three boundaries in the first 15 balls. However, Hunter was dismissed, scooping an over-pitched ball to mid-off.
Then came the Gaby Lewis-Orla Prendergast show as the two tall top-order batters blasted the ball to all parts of the ground. Lewis struck 17 fours and two sixes in a memorable knock, bringing up her century with a four down the fine leg boundary. This was her first century against an ICC full member side.
While Lewis was smacking the ball, Prendergast played second-fiddle with a 31-ball 38 to keep the scoreboard ticking. Rebecca Stokell, who walked out to bat in the 18th over scored an entertaining15-ball 34 to take Ireland to 173/3, their sixth-highest WT20I total.
Sri Lanka’s run chase made the contest a nervy affair, with Harshitha Samarawickrama (65) and Kavisha Dilhari (51*) leading the charge. With 16 to win off the last over, captain Laura Delany turned to reliable Arlene Kelly. Kelly dutifully kept the last over to just 8 runs, assuring a historic victory for the Irish women.
The two teams now move to Belfast for a three-match ODI series starting August 16 (Friday).
(With inputs from Cricket Ireland)
Brief scores:
Ireland 173/3 (20 overs; G Lewis 119*, O Prendergast 38; S Gimhani 1/24) beat Sri Lanka 166/7 (20 overs; H Samarawickrama 65; O Prendergast 2/28) by 7 runs
Player of the Match: Gaby Lewis
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