Hosts Ireland, with an early lead in the 3-match One-Day International (ODI) series, have pushed Sri Lanka on the back foot, and it is all to play for the visitors to stay alive in the series. The 2nd ODI is scheduled for 3:15 PM Indian Standard Time (IST) on the 18th of August 2024, at Civil Service Cricket Club, Belfast.
Squads:
Ireland – Gaby Lewis (C), Ava Canning, Alana Dalzell, Sarah Forbes, Amy Hunter, Arlene Kelly, Joanna Loughran, Aimee Maguire, Jane Maguire, Leah Paul, Orla Prendergast, Freya Sargent, Rebecca Stokell, Alice Tector
Sri Lanka – Chamari Athapaththu (C), Vishmi Gunaratne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Hasini Perera, Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshi Silva, Anushka Sanjeewani, Kawya Kavindi, Udeshika Prabodhani, Achini Kulasuriya, Sugandika Kumari, Sachini Nisansala, Inoshi Fernando, Shashini Gimhani, Ama Kanchana, Kaushini Nuthyangana
Players to watch out:
Gaby Lewis
The 23-year-old all-rounder in ODIs, from 42 outings, has accumulated 1,184 runs at an average of 31.15, and from 17 bowling innings, struck 10 wickets with an economy rate of 6.50, while registering bests of 96* and 2/41. Following a successful 2024 domestic season, Gaby registered scores of 39 and 119 in the T20Is this series, and while she departed for 9 in the ODI opener, she can be relied upon to lead the scoring.
Freya Sargent
The 18-year-old off-spinner, from 5 ODIs, has taken 8 wickets, including the best of 3/29, maintaining an economy rate of 6.02. Freya had a notable domestic season ahead of this series, and her returns from the two T20Is in this series read 1/27 (4) and 2/36 (4). Though she didn’t take any wickets in the ODI opener, she finished economically with 0/64 (10). It is hoped she finds her way back among the wickets.
Nilakshi Silva
The 34-year-old middle-order batter, from 35 ODI innings, has added 696 runs to the tally at an average of 25.77, while also being handy with the ball. Nilakshi has remained underutilized of late; however, in this series, she departed for 10 in the 2nd T20I and 13 in the ODI opener. She should be backed to build on these starts and step up with a substantial score.
Kavisha Dilhari
The 23-year-old all-rounder in ODIs, from 21 innings, has posted 419 runs at an average of 24.64, while from 22 outings, she has taken 26 wickets at an economy rate of 4.85. Kavisha carried her brilliant form into this series, registering a 51* in the 2nd T20I. Though she finished wicketless in both T20Is, she produced a 4-fer in the ODI opener and can be counted on for the goods.
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Pitch:
The wicket at Civil Service Cricket Club provides a certain degree of assistance to the batters, and the average score at the venue is in the 260s. Although it is a batting-friendly surface, bowlers too remain in the game, especially the pacers.
Weather:
It will be a pleasant day for cricket in Belfast with no expected rain interruptions despite cloudy skies. The temperature is forecasted to hover around 27°C, with moderate winds and a humidity level of 64%.
Fantasy playing XI:
Amy Hunter, Vishmi Gunaratne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Gaby Lewis, Chamari Athapaththu, Nilakshi Silva, Arlene Kelly, Orla Prendergast, Udeshika Prabodhani, Inoshi Fernando, Alana Dalzell
Match details:
Date – August 18, 2024
Time – 3:15 PM IST
Venue – Civil Service Cricket Club, Belfast
Broadcast – The game will be live-streamed on Cricket Ireland’s YouTube channel, and scorecards can be accessed on Cricket Ireland’s match center web portal.