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

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5 months ago

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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.

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Sri Lanka and India Dominate U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2025 with Back-to-Back Wins

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50 minutes ago

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January 22, 2025

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Sri Lanka and India continued their dominant run in the ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup 2025, securing their second consecutive victories. Sri Lanka outplayed West Indies, while India cruised past Malaysia, solidifying their positions at the top of the points table.

Sri Lanka’s Record-Breaking Batting Display Crushes West Indies

Sri Lanka continued their dominance, setting a new tournament high score with 166/5 before dismantling the West Indies for just 85 runs to secure an emphatic 81-run victory.

Opener Sanjana Kavindi (38 off 36 balls) and Sumudu Nisansala (19 off 22) laid a strong foundation with a 54-run opening stand in under seven overs. Skipper Manudi Nanayakkara (37 off 31) and Dahami Sanethma (31 off 25) continued the aggressive batting, pushing Sri Lanka to an imposing total.

West Indies struggled against Sri Lanka’s sharp bowling and disciplined fielding, losing wickets at regular intervals. Left-arm spinner Selena Ross (2/25) was the only positive for West Indies, but their batting collapse handed Sri Lanka an easy win.

With this victory, Sri Lanka remains unbeaten and continues to challenge India for the top spot in the tournament standings.

India’s Bowling Masterclass Crushes Malaysia

Defending champions India once again showcased their bowling prowess, making full use of overcast conditions after winning the toss.

Young seamer Joshitha VJ set the tone by trapping Malaysia’s opener Nuni for a duck. A run-out and a fiery spell from Aayushi Shukla reduced Malaysia to 13/4 within five overs.

The highlight of the innings came from Vaishnavi Sharma, whose brilliant left-arm spin secured the tournament’s first hat-trick. She ended with stunning figures of 5/5, as Malaysia was dismissed for just 31 runs.

India’s openers, G. Trisha and Kamalini G., chased down the target in three overs without losing a wicket, ensuring India retained the top spot on the table.

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Sri Lanka U19 Women Secure Dominant Victory Over West Indies in ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup

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1 day ago

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January 21, 2025

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In a commanding performance at the Bayuemas Oval in Kuala Lumpur, the Sri Lanka Under-19 Women’s cricket team triumphed over the West Indies U19 Women in their Group A encounter of the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup. Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Sri Lanka posted an imposing total of 166 for 5 in their allotted 20 overs.

The opening partnership laid a solid foundation, with Sanjana Kavindi scoring 38 off 36 balls and Sumudu Nisansala contributing 19 off 22 deliveries. Captain Manudi Nanayakkara further bolstered the innings with a brisk 37 from 31 balls, while Dahami Sanethma added a valuable 31 off 25 balls. The West Indies bowlers faced a challenging task, with left-arm spinner Selena Ross emerging as the standout performer, claiming 2 wickets for 25 runs in her four overs.

In response, the West Indies U19 Women struggled to build momentum against a disciplined Sri Lankan bowling attack. Regular wickets and tight fielding restricted their scoring opportunities, ultimately leading to a comprehensive victory for Sri Lanka. This win propels Sri Lanka to the top of Group A, enhancing their prospects of advancing to the Super Six stage of the tournament.

The Sri Lankan team’s all-round performance underscores their growing prowess in the international arena, particularly in the U19 category. As the tournament progresses, they will aim to maintain this momentum in their upcoming matches. Cricket enthusiasts can look forward to more thrilling performances from these young athletes as they continue their campaign in the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup.

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Sri Lanka vs Australia Test Series 2025: A Thrilling Battle Awaits

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2 days ago

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January 20, 2025

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Cricket fans are in for a treat as Sri Lanka hosts Australia for a highly anticipated Test series in January and February 2025. With two Test matches and two ODIs lined up, this tour carries immense significance for both teams as they vie for crucial ICC World Test Championship (WTC) points.

Here’s everything you need to know about this exciting tournament:

Series Schedule

• 1st Test: January 29 – February 2, 2025, Galle International Stadium

• 2nd Test: February 6 – 10, 2025, Galle International Stadium

• 1st ODI: February 12, 2025, R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

• 2nd ODI: February 14, 2025, R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

Key Highlights and Team Updates

Australia’s Preparations

Australia enters the series with a strong squad bolstered by the return of captain Steve Smith, who has recovered from an elbow injury. Smith’s presence is expected to provide much-needed stability and experience to the team.

However, the absence of left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann due to a thumb injury is a setback. This opens the door for young talent Cooper Connolly, a promising 21-year-old who may make his Test debut.

Selectors have also hinted at a key role for Travis Head, who could open the innings. His recent success in India as a fast-scoring opener makes him an exciting prospect for the spin-friendly conditions of Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka’s Formidable Home Advantage

Sri Lanka has been a dominant force on home soil, with impressive Test wins against England and New Zealand in recent years. Galle International Stadium, known for its spin-friendly pitches, will likely play a decisive role in shaping the series.

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