AJMAN, UAE – Ireland Women have had a tough start to the Emerging Nations Trophy with a 10-wicket loss to a powerhouse Sri Lankan side in the UAE today.
The day started in a celebratory mood as a international debut cap was handed to Abbi Harrison and a T20I debut cap to Kia McCartney. Vice-captain Amy Hunter (21 off 16 balls) then went on the attack at the outset of the Irish innings, hitting three boundaries in a 15-minute flurry of activity, before falling to Sathya Sandeepani.
When Gaby Lewis fell for 4 in the next over, the match momentum swung firmly towards the Sri Lankans.
There was middle-order resistance from Louise Little (28), Laura Delany (15) and debutant Harrison 13*, but the Sri Lankan bowlers didn’t let up the pressure from there, and Ireland struggled to push the score beyond three figures.
Defending 105 was always going to be a challenge, but the Sri Lankan openers continued on where their bowling unit left off, with Vishmi Gunaratne and Hasini Perera scoring twin 53 not outs to see their side home by 10 wickets in 13 overs.
Ireland Women will be back in action tomorrow morning as they seek to get their campaign back on track against the UAE – you can watch live on www.icc.tv.
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