Ireland registered a 15-run win over Sri Lanka in the second Women’s ODI to clinch the three-match series, 2-0 with a game to spare.
Sri Lanka skipper Chamari Athapaththu won the toss and decided to bowl first. The hosts managed to post a decent total – 255/5 on the board thanks to well-compiled half-centuries from Leah Paul (81), Amy Hunter (66) and Rebecca Stokell (53).
The off-spinner Kavisha Dilhari and seamer Achini Kulasuriya scalped 2 wickets each for Sri Lanka.
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In reply, Sri Lanka lost their opening pair Athapaththu and Vishmi Gunaratne inside the powerplay, but the in-form batters Harshitha Samarawickrama and Kavisha Dilhari revived the innings, adding 126 runs for the third wicket.
Samarawickrama went onto score her maiden ODI century while Dilhari contributed with useful 53 runs. With this century, Samarawickrama became the third Sri Lankan to score a century in Women’s ODIs.
After their dismissals, Sri Lanka witnessed a major batting collapse, losing 8 wickets for 68 runs making way for the hosts to snatch a victory.
The third and final ODI between the two sides will be played on the 20th August at the same venue.
Brief Scores
Ireland – 255/5 (50) Leah Paul 81, Amy Hunter 66, Rebecca Stokell 53*, Christina Coulter Reilly 24, Kavisha Dilhari 2/35, Achini Kulasuriya 2/48
Sri Lanka – 240 (48) Harshitha Samarawickrama 105, Kavisha Dilhari 53, Nilakshika Silva 24*, Chamari Athapaththu 22, Arlene Kelly 3/41, Jane Maguire 2/33
Result – Ireland won by 15 runs
