The Sri Lanka Women’s Cricket team crashed to an embarrassing 8-wicket loss against Ireland in their 2nd and final warm-up game ahead of the ICC Women’s World T20, at the Coolidge Grounds in Antigua.
Having been sent into bat by Irish skipper Laura Delaney, Sri Lanka once again got off to a poor start as they lost opener Yasoda Mendis in just the 2nd over of the innings. A 31-run partnership between captain Chamari Atapattu and Hasini Perera helped resurrect the Lankan innings and it looked like the pair would take Sri Lanka to a respectable total.
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From 66/2, Sri Lanka lost their last 8 wickets for 19 runs in just over 6 overs to finish on 85 all out. Only Atapattu, Perera and Shashikala Siriwardene got to double figures, with the rest of the batting line-up leaving a lot to be desired going into the showpiece event.
For Ireland, leg spinner Celeste Raack and 17-year-old medium pacer Lara Maritz accounted for 5 wickets between them, ensuring that Sri Lanka push on to a par score.
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It was always going to be tough for Sri Lanka trying to restrict the Irish but left armer Udeshika Prabodini gave them some hope, dismissing Cecelia Joyce for a duck in the 1st over of the chase.
However, veteran Clare Shillington ensured that Ireland stayed on course, scoring an unbeaten half century to take the side home in just 13.2 overs.
Photos: Pre-Departure Media Briefing of Sri Lanka Women’s Team for the ICC T20 World
Scores
Sri Lanka: 85 all out (18.2) – Hasini Perera 31, Chamari Atapattu 14, Lara Maritz 3/1, Celeste Raack 2/16
Ireland: 86/2 (13.2) – Clare Shillington 50*, Laura Delaney 15*, Udeshika Prabodini 1/8, Oshadi Ranasinghe 1/23
Result – Ireland Women won by 8 wickets
