THE visiting Sri Lankan side may have come out victorious on the day, but Ireland Women – who had wrapped up the series on Sunday – were be the happier side after a dramatic three-match ODI series that finished 2-1 in their favour.
The day began at Stormont with Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu winning the toss and electing to bowl. This decision ended up being crucial as Ireland Women quickly found themselves 10-3, then 13-4 and 28-5.
It was at this point that Leah Paul and Arlene Kelly, who was named Player of the Series, formed a crucial partnership that stopped the trend. However, it still proved difficult to increase the rate of scoring in bowler-friendly conditions.
Arlene Kelly
Their efforts were hampered when Sri Lanka broke the partnership, but the Irish lower order dug in and pushed the score beyond the 100-mark.
Kelly ended up scoring 35 from 75, her highest score in ODIs, but Ireland would have to bowl incredibly well to defend 123.
The home side did get an early wicket when Ava Canning removed Vishmi Gunaratne. Freya Sargent then dismissed Chamari Athapaththu after a riveting contest between the pair.
Despite putting up a fight, the Irish bowlers found they didn’t have enough runs on the board to play with, and Sri Lanka ended up comfortable winners, with Athapaththu 3-15.
Ireland Women still had enjoyed a truly remarkable nine days since first beating Sri Lanka Women in the second T20I at Pembroke in Dublin and then securing their first-ever ICC Women’s Championship points in the first game and then the series win.
MATCH SUMMARY
Ireland Women v Sri Lanka Women, 3rd One-Day International, Stormont Cricket Club
Ireland 122 (46.3 overs; A Kelly 35, L Paul 19; C Athapaththu 3-15)
Sri Lanka 123-2 (23.1 overs; H Samarawickrama 48; A Canning 1-14, F Sargent 1-38)
Sri Lanka won by 8 wickets
