Sri Lanka edge Australia by 7 runs

U-19 Women’s Tri-Nation T-20 Tournament

The Sri Lanka under-19 women’s team put on a spirited performance to secure a thrilling seven-run victory over U-19 Australia lasses in their first game of the under 19 Tri-nation T-20 cricket series match held at Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium Thursday (28).

Opting to bat first, Sri Lanka managed to score 117 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in their allotted 20 overs. In response, the Australian team could only reach 110 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in their 20 overs.

Initially, the Sri Lankan women had a slow start with their openers Dewmi Wijeratne (15) and top scorer Sanjana Kavindi struggling to score runs in the first five overs, managing only 18 runs. However, Kavindi later played a brisk innings, scoring 28 runs off 27 balls with 4 fours and a six, contributing significantly to the team’s total. Captain Manudi Nanayakkara (16 off 15 balls with 3 fours), Rashmi Nethanjali (14 off 16 balls with 2 fours), and wicketkeeper Sumudu Nissansala (19 off 17 balls with 3 fours) also played valuable knocks to build the innings. Australian spinners Hasrat Gill and Eleanor Larosa took two wickets each.

Australia, in pursuit of their target of 118, struggled to get going as they found themselves reeling at 17 for 3 wickets in 4.4 overs.

Rashmika Sewwandi and Rashmi Nethrtanjali made early breakthroughs to create pressure for the opponents.

When the chips were down Eleanor Larosa played a handy knock of unbeaten 44 in 41 balls with 5 fours, and Skipper Lucy Hamilton, scored 28 in 30 balls with 4 fours to steady the visitors innings.

However their efforts were too little too late for them to take their team over the line.

Apart from Larosa and Lucy none of the other batters impressed as Australia fell short 8 runs of the target.

Dewmi Vihanga was the pick of the bowlers claiming 2-22.

Sri Lanka will next be in action on Saturday when they take on England at the same venue.

Brief scores:

Sri Lanka: 117/6 (20) (Sanjana Kavindi 28, Sumudu Nisansala 19, Manudi Nanayakkara 16, Dewmi Vihanga 15, Rashmi Nethranjali 14, Rashmika Sewwandi 12*, Hasrat Gill 2/16, Eleanor Larosa 2/21) 

Australia: 110/5 (20) (Eleanor Larosa 44*, Lucy Hamilton 28, Dewmi Vihanga 2/22)