In a gripping contest at St George’s, the 1st ODI of the Sri Lanka Women tour of West Indies 2026 turned into a classic as Sri Lanka edged past West Indies by 10 runs in a high-quality encounter that ebbed and flowed across almost 100 overs. The match was a fine advertisement for international women’s cricket, with momentum swings, crucial partnerships, and impactful bowling spells shaping the outcome.
Sri Lanka’s innings began on a steady note, but West Indies struck early to test the visitors’ resolve. The opening breakthrough came at 49 in the 12th over when Chamari Athapaththu fell for 27 off 37 balls (3 fours), caught off Karishma Ramharack. Before that, Hasini Perera had looked composed, rotating strike beautifully and finding the gaps with authority.
The first wicket stand had provided stability, and after Athapaththu’s dismissal, Perera continued to anchor the innings. She stitched a vital 86-run partnership for the second wicket with Harshitha Samarawickrama, who displayed immense patience during her 66 off 105 balls (5 fours). Perera herself contributed a fluent 61 off 86 balls (6 fours) before being dismissed at 135 in the 31.3rd over, caught off Aaliyah Alleyne.
At 135/2, Sri Lanka were well placed, but West Indies clawed back through disciplined bowling. The third wicket fell at 185 (41.6 overs) when Samarawickrama was stumped by Shemaine Campbelle off Ramharack, who was exceptional in the middle overs. Nilakshika Silva’s brisk 22 off 25 balls injected momentum, though she fell lbw to Hayley Matthews at 185/4 (42.1 overs).
Kavisha Dilhari (22 off 21) and Vishmi Gunaratne (16* off 20) ensured the innings didn’t lose steam late on. Dilhari added important lower-order runs before falling at 223 in the 48.3rd over. Dewmi Vihanga’s cameo of 14 off just 6 balls (SR 233.33) provided a late flourish before she was dismissed off the last ball as Sri Lanka finished on 240/6 in their 50 overs.
West Indies’ bowling effort was led by Karishma Ramharack, who returned figures of 10-0-57-2, breaking key partnerships. Hayley Matthews was equally influential with 10-0-46-2, including the prized scalp of Athapaththu. Aaliyah Alleyne (6-0-31-1) and Deandra Dottin (6-0-27-1) chipped in with timely breakthroughs, while Afy Fletcher (10-0-44-0) maintained control through her leg-spin despite going wicketless.
Chasing 241, West Indies began cautiously but lost Qiana Joseph for 13 at 26 (6.3 overs), bowled by Malki Madara. Hayley Matthews’ stay was brief as she fell for 2 at 28 (7.2 overs), leaving the hosts under early pressure. Shemaine Campbelle (12) also departed at 49, handing Inoka Ranaweera her first wicket. At 80/4, after Chinelle Henry’s dismissal, Sri Lanka had tightened their grip.
However, Stefanie Taylor and Deandra Dottin steadied the innings with a composed partnership, taking the score to 80 before Dottin fell for 14. Taylor then found strong support from Jannillea Glasgow. Their stand revived hopes, with Glasgow crafting a patient 50 off 67 balls (7 fours). Taylor led from the front with 66 off 83 balls (5 fours), but her run-out at 169 (39.2 overs) proved pivotal.
Ranaweera turned the game decisively with a brilliant spell of 10-1-44-4, dismissing Campbelle, Henry, Glasgow, and Shawniisha Hector (13). Kavisha Dilhari supported well with 9.4-0-49-3, including the key wicket of Afy Fletcher (12). Dewmi Vihanga bowled economically (10-2-28-1), while Malki Madara claimed 1-36 from 6 overs.
West Indies fought till the final over, with Aaliyah Alleyne contributing 24* off 29 balls, but they were bowled out for 230 in 49.4 overs. The 10-run victory handed Sri Lanka a crucial lead in the ODI series, underlining their composure under pressure and balanced team performance in this thrilling opening ODI of the three-match series.
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