Series Wrap-Up: Sri Lanka's Resilient Victory and Ireland's Historic Wins in ODI and T20I Clashes

REPORTS • Last updated on 2 months ago

Sri Lanka Clinches Consolation Win in 3rd ODI Against Ireland

After losing the series with a 2-0 deficit, Sri Lanka secured a consolation victory in the third and final ODI, defeating Ireland by 8 wickets.

Winning the toss, Sri Lankan captain Chamari Athapaththu opted to bowl first, a decision that proved fruitful from the start. Ireland found themselves in deep trouble early on, collapsing to 10/3 and then 28/5 due to Achini Kulasuriya’s effective new-ball bowling in bowler-friendly conditions at the Civil Service Cricket Club in Belfast.

A brief recovery came from Leah Paul and Arlene Kelly, who stitched together a 36-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Some lower-order contributions helped Ireland cross the 100-run mark, but they were eventually bowled out for 122 in 46.3 overs, with Athapaththu taking 3 wickets for 15 runs. Kelly’s resilient 35 off 75 balls was the standout performance for Ireland.

Chasing a modest target, Sri Lanka lost Vishmi Gunaratne early to Ava Canning in the seventh over. However, Athapaththu’s quickfire 48 off 48 balls stabilized the innings. Despite her dismissal by Freya Sargent in the 18th over, Sri Lanka needed just 29 more runs, which Harshitha Samarawickrama (48 not out) comfortably knocked off, leading Sri Lanka to victory in 23.1 overs.

Brief Scores:

Ireland 122 all out in 46.3 overs (Kelly 35, Paul 19; Athapaththu 3-15)
Sri Lanka 123/2 in 23.1 overs (Samarawickrama 48; Canning 1-14)
Sri Lanka won by 8 wickets.

2nd ODI: Ireland Secures Series with 15-Run Win

Ireland clinched the series 2-0 with a hard-fought 15-run victory in the second ODI, successfully defending a target of 255.

After losing the series opener, Sri Lanka chose to bowl first. Ireland started cautiously, scoring just 10 runs in the first five overs and losing opener Sarah Forbes early. Amy Hunter then forged a solid partnership with Coulter Reilly, but Sri Lanka struck back with two quick wickets, reducing Ireland to 77/3 in the 18th over. Leah Paul then joined Hunter, and the duo built a crucial partnership. Hunter reached her half-century before falling for 66.

Rebecca Stockell’s unbeaten 53 off 61 balls and Paul’s 81 helped Ireland reach 255/5 in 50 overs. In response, Harshitha Samarawickrama’s fighting century (105 off 124 balls) gave Sri Lanka hope. Her 126-run third-wicket partnership with Kavisha Dilhari put Sri Lanka in a strong position at 172/2 in the 34th over. However, a dramatic collapse saw Sri Lanka lose 7 wickets for just 42 runs, eventually being bowled out for 240 in 48 overs.

Brief Scores:

Ireland Women 255/5 in 50 overs (Leah Paul 81, Amy Hunter 66, Rebecca Stockell 53*; Kavisha Dilhari 2-35, Achini Kulasuriya 2-48)
Sri Lanka Women 240 in 48 overs (Harshitha Samarawickrama 105, Kavisha Dilhari 53; Arlene Kelly 3-41)
Ireland won by 15 runs.

1st ODI: Orla Prendergast Shines as Ireland Completes Record Chase

Ireland pulled off a thrilling three-wicket win in the first ODI against Sri Lanka, chasing down a record target of 261.

Sri Lanka faced an early setback as captain Chamari Athapaththu was dismissed for a first-ball duck. Youngster Vishmi Gunaratne stepped up, anchoring the innings with a maiden century. She, along with Hasini Perera, helped Sri Lanka recover from a poor start. Gunaratne’s dismissal with nearly 20 overs remaining allowed Ireland to restrict Sri Lanka to 260/8.

Orla Prendergast, who had already made an impact with the ball, then took charge in the run chase. Despite Ireland’s shaky start, Prendergast’s unbeaten 122 guided Ireland to a historic win, with the hosts reaching 261/7 in 49.2 overs.

Brief Scores:

Sri Lanka 260/8 in 50 overs (Vishmi Gunaratne 101; Orla Prendergast 3/25)
Ireland 261/7 in 49.2 overs (Orla Prendergast 122*; Kavisha Dilhari 4/54)
Ireland won by 3 wickets.

2nd T20I: Gaby Lewis Stars with a Century as Ireland Levels Series

Gaby Lewis’ blistering century (119 off 75 balls) powered Ireland to a thrilling seven-run victory over Sri Lanka in the second T20I, leveling the series.

Ireland, batting first, posted a competitive total of 173, largely due to Lewis’ 119-run partnership with Orla Prendergast (38 off 31). Lewis dominated the innings, smashing the Sri Lankan bowlers to all parts of the ground.

In response, Sri Lanka’s Harshitha Samarawickrama (65 off 44) and Kavisha Dilhari (51* off 48) kept the visitors in the game. However, a late collapse and disciplined bowling from Ireland, led by Jane Maguire, ensured a narrow win for the hosts.

Brief Scores:

Ireland 173/3 in 20 overs (Gaby Lewis 119, Orla Prendergast 38)
Sri Lanka 166/7 in 20 overs (Harshitha Samarawickrama 65, Kavisha Dilhari 51*; Orla Prendergast 2-28)
Ireland won by 7 runs.

1st T20I: Samarawickrama’s Unbeaten 86 Leads Sri Lanka to Victory

Harshitha Samarawickrama’s unbeaten 86 off 45 balls guided Sri Lanka to a comfortable seven-wicket win in the first T20I against Ireland, despite the absence of captain Chamari Athapaththu.

Ireland, batting first, posted a decent total of 145/6, with Gaby Lewis and Orla Prendergast laying a solid foundation. However, Sri Lanka’s aggressive start, led by Vishmi Gunaratne and Samarawickrama, ensured the target was chased down with 20 balls to spare.

Brief Scores:

Ireland 145/6 in 20 overs (Gaby Lewis 39, Laura Delany 25; Inoshi Priyadharshani 2-35)
Sri Lanka 149/3 in 16.4 overs (Harshitha Samarawickrama 86, Vishmi Gunaratne 30; Laura Delany 1-16)
Sri Lanka won by 7 wickets.