Ireland ties T20 series with Lewis’ match-winning knock
Opener Gaby Lewis hit a career-best knock of 119 and added a 119-run second-wicket partnership with Orla Prendergast (38) as Ireland Women defeated Sri Lanka by 7 runs in a nail-biting second T20 yesterday. The series ended in a 1-1 draw.
Sri Lanka, tasked with chasing a target of 174, needed 16 runs in the final over. Despite a brave effort from Kavisha Dilhari and Achini Kulasuriya, who managed to score 8 runs, the Sri Lankan side fell short, allowing the Irish team to celebrate their hard-earned victory.
Harshitha Samarawickrama continued her impressive form, scoring 65 off 44 balls with 9 fours and 3 sixes. She built a significant 72-run third-wicket partnership with Kavisha Dilhari, who remained unbeaten on 51 off 48 balls with 4 fours and a six. However, their contributions were not enough to chase down the target.
Earlier, Gaby Lewis, who was named Player of the Match, scored 119 off 75 balls with 17 fours and 2 sixes, setting the highest individual total by an Irish player in T20 format. She also won the Player of the Series award.
The two teams will meet for their first ODI on August 16 in Belfast.
Chief scores
Ireland Women’s 173 for 3 wickets in 20 overs (Gaby Lewis 119,Orla Prendergast 38, Achini Kulasuriya 1/36, Shashini Gimhani 1/24)
Sri Lanka Women’s 166 for 7 wickets in 20 overs (Harshitha Samarawickrama 65, Hasini Perera 10, Kavisha Dilhari 51*, Nilakshika Silva 10, Ama Kanchana 11, Freya Sargent 2/36, Oria Prendergast 2/28).