The first women’s ODI between Sri Lanka and Ireland proved to be a mainly a battle between Vishmi Gunaratne and Orla Prendergast who both hit centuries with the Irish batter’s undefeated 122 off 107 balls the swaying factor as the hosts scored 261 for 7 in 49.2 overs chasing the touring team’s 260 for 8 to winning by 3 wickets in the ICC Women’s Championship at the Civil Service Cricket Club, Stormont, Belfast yesterday.
The game though held a magical maiden first ton significance for Sri Lanka’s opening batter, Vishmi Gunaratne who 101 off 98 balls decked with 9 boundaries and 3 sixes. But the Irish rose to making their highest victory chase. The game was a gloomy day for the rest of the Lankan batters bar Hasini Perera who scored 46 off 72 as the usually aggressive Lankan skipper Chamari Athapaththu went for an off day first ball duck.
Prendergast’s match winning knock heightened by 10 boundaries and 2 sixes followed her 3 wickets in a Player of the Match show of strength.
CHIEF SCORES:
Sri Lanka Women 260/8 (50 Overs)
(Vishmi Gunaratne 101, Hasini Perera 46, Harshitha Samarawickrama 19, Sugandika Kumari 18, Kavisha Dilhari 16, Nilakshika Silva 13, Orla Prendergast 3/25, Alana Dalzell 2/37, Arlene Kelly 2/42, Alice Tector 1/49)
Ireland Women 261/7 (49.2 Overs)
(Orla Prendergast n.o. 122, Amy Hunter 42, Sarah Forbes 30, Rebecca Stokell 19, Arlene Kelly 12, Kavisha Dilhari 4/54, Achini Kulasuriya 1/24, Sachini Nisansala 1/44, Udeshika Prabodhani 1/47)
