Italy win final T20I; Austria take series 3-2

Italy won the final T20I against Austria on Thursday (August 12) and ended the five-match series 2-3. While the newest entrants in international cricket won the first game, Austria then won three on the trot before going down in the final encounter at the Roma Cricket Ground in Spinaceto.



Batting first, the hosts only posted 99 for five in their 20 overs. Captain Kumudu Peddrick scored 28 opening the batting while Teshani Araliya stayed unbeaten on 25 after walking in at no.4. The pair was involved in a 37-run partnership for the third wicket. The touring bowlers bowled as many as 23 extras, which included 19 wides.



Valentina Avdylaj, Mahadewa Pathirannehelage, Komati Reddy and Sylvia Kallath all picked up a wicket each to restrict Italy to what seemed like a gettable total.



However, Austria’s response also was slow to start off. Andrea Mae Zepada fell just after the power play for nine that took 17 balls coming. Bursra Uca, the other opener, made 12 off 32 balls. Skipper Gandhali Bapat provided a bit off acceleration after walking in at four. But her 36-ball 37 couldn’t help the touring team get over the line,as Austria fell short by one run.



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One of the consistent performers for Italy with the ball this series, Sharon Withanage, picked up two wickets and so did Dishani Samarawickrama, who gave away just nine runs in her four overs, including two maidens. Withanage ended the series with seven wickets, the most for her team and second-most behind Austria’s Avdylaj, who returned eight.



Italy's bowlers also gave away 23 extras, which had 20 wides.



Brief Scores: Italy 99/5 in 20 overs (Kumudu Peddrick 28) beat Austria 98/8 in 20 overs (Gandhali Bapat 37; Dishani Samarawickrama 2/9, Sharon Withanage 2/21) by one run.