Ciara Metcalfe claimed brilliant figures of four for 15 in a losing cause as Ireland threw away a great opportunity to defeat Sri Lanka in their second game Women’s World Twenty20 at Mohali in India.
The leg-spinner had the Sri Lankans in complete disarray as five wickets tumbled for 14 runs after Chamara Attapatau’s early onslaught saw them reach 45 without loss.
Eshani Lokusuriyage (35 not out) and Dilani Mandala (32) rescued their innings with a mature sixth-wicket partnership of 49 in 48 balls as they finished their innings on 129 for seven – a target well within the Irish capabilities.
Clare Shillington and Cath Dalton both fell early in the Irish reply, but a breezy 29 from Cecelia Joyce – which contained four boundaries– got the Irish run chase back on track.
A fourth wicket stand of 47 from just 40 deliveries between skipper Isobel Joyce (24) and Laura Delany (29) put the Irish very much in the ascendancy at 87 for three, with just 33 needed from the last five overs.
However, a combination of two run outs and Sugandika Kumari claiming three for 15 saw the Irish crumble under pressure, faltering to a devastating 14 run reverse.
Metcalfe who claimed a consolation Player of the Match accolade said she was delighted with her own performance but was disappointed by the loss.
“Look, I am obviously happy with the way I bowled, but the defeat has hurt us,” she said. “We thought we should have won today. But we will take it in our stride and continue to improve.”
Ireland are next on action on Wednesday when they take on South Africa in Chennai.
ICC WOMEN’S WORLD TWENTY20
Sri Lanka 129-7 (20 ovs) (Chamari Attapattu 34, Prasadani Weerakkody 32, Eshani Lokusuriyage 35 not out; Ciara Metcalfe 4-15).
Ireland 115-8 (20 ovs) (Cecelia Joyce 29, Laura Delany 29, Isobel Joyce 24; Sugandika Kumari 3-24).
Sri Lanka won by 14 runs
