Skipper Chamari Athapaththu’s all-round show helps Sri Lanka avoid a whitewash against Ireland in the ODI series
The injury-hit Ireland women led by the stand-in skipper Orla Prendergast clinched the second ODI and the series by 15 runs to go 2-0 up in the three-match ODI series. The young 22-year-old Ireland all-rounder took over the leadership duties for the first time at the international level.
The Sri Lankan skipper Chamari Athapaththu won the toss and opted to field first in the 3rd and final ODI of the series at Civil Service Cricket Club, Stormont, Belfast. Both sides made a couple of changes to their side that played the last game. As far as the visitors, Sri Lanka are concerned, Inoshi Priyadharshani Fernando and Ama Kanchana replaced Sugandika Kumari and Udeshika Prabodhani in the playing 11. On the other hand, Ava Canning and Alice Tector replaced Jane Maguire and Alana Dalzell in the playing 11 for the home side.
After being inserted to bat first, Ireland got off to a horrible start as they lost their top order inside the powerplay. Rebecca Stokell joined Leah Paul at the crease and the duo stitched a much-needed 15-run partnership for the 5th wicket. Ama Kanchana picked up the wicket of Rebecca Stokell to provide the 5th breakthrough for Sri Lanka. Arlene Kelly joined Leah Paul at the crease and the duo stitched another crucial 36-run partnership for the 6th wicket to take their side past the 50-run mark.
Sachini Nisansala picked up the wicket of Leah Paul to provide the much-needed breakthrough for her side. Ava Canning soon followed her back to the pavilion to provide the 7th breakthrough for Sri Lanka. Alice Tector joined Arlene Kelly at the crease and the duo stitched a much-needed 13-run partnership for the 8th wicket to take their side close to the 100-run mark. Skipper Chamari Athapaththu picked up the wicket of Arlene Kelly to provide the 8th breakthrough for her side.
Freya Sargent joined Alice Tector at the crease and the duo stitched a crucial 23-run partnership for the 9th wicket to take their side past the 100-run mark. Ireland were eventually bundled out for 122 with 21 balls to spare. Arlene Kelly (35 off 75 balls), Leah Paul (19 off 53 balls), Alice Tector (17 off 29 balls), and Freya Sargent (16 off 36 balls) were the top performers with the bat for Ireland.
Skipper Chamari Athapaththu (8.3-0-15-3), Achini Kulasuriya (9-0-35-3), Sachini Nisansala (10-1-35-2), and Inoshi Priyadharshani Fernando (10-5-7-1) were the top performers with the ball for Sri Lanka. Chasing a target of 123, the Sri Lankan openers Vishmi Gunaratne and skipper Chamari Athapaththu got their side off to a good start with a 32-run opening partnership. Ava Canning cleaned up Vishmi Gunaratne to provide the first breakthrough for Ireland.
Harshitha Samarawickrama joined skipper Chamari Athapaththu at the crease and the duo stitched a crucial 62-run partnership for the 2nd wicket to take their side close to the 100-run mark. Freya Sargent picked up the big wicket of the opposition skipper Chamari Athapaththu to provide the 2nd breakthrough for her side. Kavisha Dilhari joined Harshitha Samarawickrama at the crease and the duo took their side over the line with an unbeaten 29-run partnership for the 3rd wicket. Sri Lanka clinched the 3rd ODI with eight wickets in hand and 161 balls to spare. Skipper Chamari Athapaththu (48 off 49 balls), and Harshitha Samarawickrama (48 off 56 balls), were the top performers with the bat for Sri Lanka. Freya Sargent (8.1-1-38-1), Ava Canning (3-1-14-1), and Aimee Maguire (6-0-35-0) were the top performers with the ball for Ireland. Skipper Chamari Athapaththu was awarded the Player of the Match for her brilliant all-round performance, returning with match figures (8.3-0-15-3) with the ball and scoring a crucial (48 off 49 balls) with the bat. She played a crucial role in helping Sri Lanka avoid a whitewash in the 3-match ODI series against Ireland.