Arlene Kelly took Ireland to within a whisker of victory over Sri Lanka in Cape Town yesterday before falling in the unluckiest of ways as the Girls in Green lost a thriller by two runs in their first official warm-up for the T20 World Cup.

If any proof were still needed that coach Ed Joyce’s charges are capable of an upset or two this month it was provided with another spirited performance, led by skipper Laura Delany who took 3-20 as Sri Lanka were restricted to 149-5.

Opener Gary Lewis got the Ireland chase off to a flyer with a flurry of early boundaries and when she fell for 38 from 24 balls, the momentum was maintained by Delany’s 21, and a lively stand of 31 off 17 balls from Kelly and Leah Paul.

With three needed from the final two balls, last batter Jane Maguire’s straight drive was deflected into the stumps at the non-striker’s end by the bowler, running out Kelly for 30. 

Ireland’s final warm-up match is tomorrow (WEDS) against tournament favourites Australia at the same Stellenbosch University ground.