Orla Prendergast’s ton overpowers Vishmi’s century as Ireland secure easy win

Sri Lanka Women’s tour of Ireland (First ODI)

Orla Prendergast’s remarkable unbeaten score of 122 eclipsed Vishmi Gunaratne’s 101, leading host Ireland to a straightforward victory by three wickets against Sri Lanka in the opening match of the three-match ODI series held in Belfast on Friday.

Sri Lanka, batting first, set a respectable total of 260-8, bolstered by Gunaratne’s century. In response, Ireland successfully chased down the target in 49.2 overs, thanks to Prendergast’s outstanding unbeaten innings of 122.

After winning the toss and opting to bat, 18-year-old Vishmi Gunaratne rose to the occasion following the dismissal of her captain, Chamari Athapaththu, who was out for a first-ball duck, marking an early challenge for Sri Lanka.

With Harshitha Madavi also departing within the first eight overs, Sri Lanka required a solid partnership. Gunaratne provided that alongside Hasini Perera. The young opener played aggressively, hitting three sixes during her innings before achieving her maiden century.

She became only the second Sri Lankan batter, after Athapaththu, to reach this milestone. Had she continued her innings, Sri Lanka might have aimed for a total closer to 300. However, her dismissal with nearly 20 overs remaining allowed Ireland to capitalize on the situation, taking wickets at regular intervals.

Orla Prendergast added two more wickets to her tally towards the end, restricting Sri Lanka to 260/8. The 22-year-old all-rounder Orla Prendergast also excelled with the ball, achieving a career-best performance of three wickets for 25 runs in eight overs.

In the course of the chase, Ireland experienced a familiar beginning, encountering an early challenge as stand-in captain Gaby Lewis was dismissed for nine runs in the eighth over.

However, fellow opener Sarah Forbes, who scored 30 runs, along with wicketkeeper-batter Amy Hunter, who contributed 42 runs, played crucial roles in stabilizing the innings, guiding the hosts to a score of 116 for three at the midpoint of their innings.

Despite the consistent wicket-taking efforts of Sri Lankan spinner Kavisha Dilhari, who claimed four wickets for 54 runs, Prendergast maintained Ireland’s momentum with an impressive century, achieved in just 97 balls.

She ultimately led her team to victory by scoring the winning run in the final over.

Prendergast finished with an unbeaten 122 runs off 107 balls, including 10 fours and two sixes, as Ireland successfully chased down their target of 261 runs with four balls to spare.

The second match of the three-match ODI series is scheduled for Sunday, once again at the Stormont Cricket Ground.