Ines Mckeon and skipper Lucy Hamilton’s all-round show guides Australia Under-19 to a thumping 7-wicket win against Sri Lanka
The Sri Lankan under-19 side led by skipper Manudi Nanayakkara defeated New Zealand led by skipper Tash Wakelin by 69 runs in the 2nd match of the series. The hosts, Australia under-19 side led by skipper Lucy Hamilton were up against Sri Lanka in the 3rd match of the U19 series.
The Sri Lankan skipper Manudi Nanayakkara won the toss and opted to bat first in the 3rd game of the series. The Sri Lankan openers Hiruni Hansika and Sanjana Kavindi got their side off to a cautious start with a 13-run opening partnership. Skipper Lucy Hamilton picked up the wicket of Sanjana Kavindi to provide the first breakthrough for Australia. Vimoksha Balasuriya soon followed her back to the pavilion to provide the 2nd breakthrough for Australia.
Wicket-keeper batter Sumudu Nisansala joined Hiruni Hansika at the crease and the duo stitched a 11-run partnership for the 3rd wicket. Juliette Morton picked up the wicket of Hiruni Hansika to provide the 3rd breakthrough for her side. Wicket-keeper batter Sumudu Nisansala soon followed her back to the pavilion to provide the 4th breakthrough for Australia.
Dahami Sanethma joined skipper Manudi Nanayakkara at the crease and the duo stitched a 14-run partnership for the 5th wicket to take their side past the 50-run mark. Eleanor Larosa picked up the wicket of Dahami Sanethma to provide the 5th breakthrough for her side. Skipper Manudi Nanayakkara soon followed her back to the pavilion to provide the 6th breakthrough for Australia.
Rashmi Nethranjali joined Rashmika Sewwandi at the crease and the duo stitched a much-needed 24-run partnership for the 7th wicket to take their side close to the 100-run mark. Rashmika Sewwandi was run out to provide the 7th breakthrough for Australia. Sri Lanka were eventually bundled out for 90 with one ball to spare. Rashmika Sewwandi (19 off 13 balls) and wicket-keeper batter Sumudu Nisansala (12 off 12 balls) were the top performers with the bat for Sri Lanka.
Skipper Lucy Hamilton (3.5-0-15-2), Eleanor Larosa (3-0-9-1), Hasrat Gill (4-0-17-1), and Juliette Morton (3-1-11-1), were the top performers with the ball for Australia. Chasing a target of 91, Australia got off to a poor start as they lost the wicket of their opening batter Samara Dulvin in the 2nd over of the run chase. Rashmika Sewwandi provided the first breakthrough for Sri Lanka.
Skipper Lucy Hamilton joined Ines Mckeon at the crease and the duo stitched a much-needed 40-run partnership for the 2nd wicket to take their side close to the 50-run mark. Skipper Lucy Hamilton was run out to provide the 2nd breakthrough for Sri Lanka. Eleanor Larosa joined opening batter Ines Mckeon at the crease and the duo stitched a crucial 31-run partnership for the 3rd wicket to take their side close to the target.
Hiruni Hansika picked up the wicket of Ines Mckeon to provide the 3rd breakthrough for her side. Ella Briscoe joined Eleanor Larosa at the crease and the duo took their side over the line with an unbeaten 18-run 4th wicket partnership. Australia got over the line with seven wickets in hand and 42 balls to spare. Ines Mckeon (49 off 34 balls), Eleanor Larosa (14* off 14 balls), and skipper Lucy Hamilton (13 off 13 balls) were the top performers with the bat for Australia.
Hiruni Hansika (3-0-18-1), Rashmika Sewwandi (2-0-20-1), and Asheni Thalagune (3-0-17-0) were the top performers with the ball for Sri Lanka.