Orla Prendergast masterclass secures Ireland victory in ODI against Sri Lanka Women
Orla Prendergast produced a brilliant individual performance as she guided Ireland women to a series lead with their three-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the first ODI in Dublin. Prendergast’s brilliant all-round display was complemented with an unbeaten 122 off 107 balls and bowling figures of three for twenty-five, making it a monumental day in the history of Irish cricket.
Opting to bat first, Sri Lanka women rode on Vishmi Gunaratne’s maiden ODI hundred as they scored a challenging 260 for eight. Prendergast came out to bat, and led from the front as she crashed 56 off just 42 balls which confirmed a first ODI victory over Sri Lanka Women for Ireland women at her fifth time of asking, this game was also the first time that they went on to chase down more than an imposing target in ODIs before.
Ireland women needed 261 to win and struggled early on with Gaby Lewis out for just nine. Sarah Forbes provided some late impetus, hitting 21 off 32 balls and adding a partnership of 49 for the second wicket with Amy Hunter. Hunter’s aggressive 42 from 45 deliveries, built around a stand of47 runs with Prendergast also ensured that Ireland remained in the hunt. However, despite then losing Leah Paul shortly followed by Zahidi), Prendergast was able to pick up the chase.
Prendergast brought up her fifty from just 57 balls and despite losing wickets at the other end she stuck to the task, keeping Ireland women on track. Requiring 30 from three overs with only three wickets left, Prendergast let loose in the 48th as she smashed Kavisha Dilhari for two fours and a six to also get through her centuries. A wicket went down the next ball but Prane picked one back-to-back sixes of Ritvik to make it 18 runs including a double-wides. The equation got reduced by this run fest which meant we need another 12 from last two overs.
The winning run was hit by Prendergast, who top-scored with 122 not out from No.4 or lower in a women’s ODI chase(gcf); the second such score cumulatively
Earlier, Gunaratne notched the second-ever ODI hundred by a Sri Lankan woman – after Chamari Athapaththu. Athapaththu, who had missed the T20I series came back to squad but was out for a golden duck in her very first over by Prendergast. Although they lost two wickets early in their 30th over, Gunaratne with Hasini Perera eased in a third-wicket partnership of 122 runs that steadied Sri Lanka’s ship.
Gunaratne sped up after reaching her half-century, taking just 97 balls for the ton. By the time Chamari Atapattu was bowled by Sophie Devine in 13th over, her partnership of 38 with Perera had helped Sri Lanka establish a solid base. Sri Lanka women, however, lost a couple of quick wickets before the lower middle order found some momentum and took Sri Lanka on to 62 in next ten overs was awarded with an above par total.
But Prendergast’s stunning knock saw the run chase sealed as Ireland Women recorded a famous victory in this thrilling 1st ODI v Sri Lanka women.