Harshitha Madavi Samarawickrama 56 in Sri Lanka Women’s 2-run win over Ireland Women

Sri Lanka Women’s top order clicked led by opening batter Harshitha Madavi Samarawickrama, who struck a cameo 56 off 46 balls in defeating Ireland Women by a close two runs on a score of 149 for 5 to their opponents 147 all out In 19.5 overs in the first warm up game of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 played at Stellenbosch in South Africa on Monday. The 24-year old left hander struck 7 boundaries in hoisting 46 for the first wicket with skipper Chamari Athapaththu who reeled off a quick fire 27 off 23 packed with 6 boundaries. Harshitha was third out with the total on a healthy 143. One drop Vishmi Gunaratne fired 36 off 34 with belting four to the ropes while next in Anushka Sanjeewani infused the final charge with an unbeaten 17 off 13 reaching the boundary twice.

The Irish Women recovered from a shaky 5 for 77 after 10.2 overs to carry the fight against a spirited Lankan attack which did a fine clean up job to win by just two runs.

CHIEF SCORES: Sri Lanka Women 149/5 (Harshitha Madavi Samarawickrama retd hurt.56, Chamari Athapaththuu 27, Vishmi Gunaratne 36, Anushka Sanjeewani n.o. 17, Laura Delany 3/20, Eimear Richardson 1/26, Cara Murray 1/28,) Ireland Women,147 (19.5 Overs) (Gaby Lewis 38, Arlane Kelly 30, Louise Little 11, Lea Paul 15′ Laura Delany 21, Oshadi Ranasinghe 3/22, Inoka Ranaweera 3/26, Kavisha Dilhari 1/18)