DUBLIN: Ireland Women held on to defeat Sri Lanka Women by 7 runs, thanks to a century-plus innings from Gaby Lewis, who also scored their first-ever century off just 75 balls.
Lewis and Amy Hunter (9) began the innings with intent after winning the toss and choosing to bat. Within the first 15 balls, Hunter struck three boundaries; however, she was shortly out of the game after catching an over-pitched ball to mid-off.
Subsequently, there was the Gaby Lewis/Orla Prendergast spectacle, wherein the two towering top-order hitters hit the ball far and wide.
Lewis reached her century with a guided four down through excellent leg after a remarkable knock that included 17 fours and two sixes. Although it was her first century in T20I, it was her second against a Full Member.
Despite playing second fiddle, Prendergast’s 31-ball 38 was equally significant because it let Lewis to attack since it kept the scoreboard moving.
Following Prendergast’s dismissal in the 18th over, Ireland felt they needed to reach a competitive score. With Rebecca Stokell at his side now, Lewis hammered 34 off the final 15 balls. With a final score of 173-3, their sixth-highest T20I team total ever, the home team thought they had put up a score they could hold.
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With 16 needed to win the final over, skipper Laura Delany turned to the dependable Arlene Kelly. Sri Lanka’s run chase, spearheaded by Harshitha Samarawickrama (65) and Kaveesha Dilhari (51*), made the match nerve-wracking. A historic triumph was guaranteed when Kelly carefully restricted the final over to eight runs.
The two sides will now travel to Belfast to begin a three-match ODI series on Friday.
MATCH SUMMARY
Ireland Women vs. Sri Lanka Women, August 13, 2024, Pembroke Cricket Club, Second T20 International
Ireland 173-3 (20 overs; G Lewis 119*, O Prendergast 38; S Gimhani 1-24)
Sri Lanka 166-7 (20 overs; H Samarawickrama 65; O Prendergast 2-28)
Ireland won by seven runs
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