The 3rd ODI between West Indies Women and Sri Lanka Women at St George’s delivered a gripping contest that ebbed and flowed before the visitors sealed a confident chase. In a match that showcased composure under pressure, tactical bowling changes, and a captain’s knock of the highest class, West Indies Women clinched a six-wicket victory with 24 balls to spare, chasing down 218 in what turned out to be a compelling finale to the series encounter.
Sri Lanka Women began their innings cautiously after opting to bat, but the early breakthrough came swiftly. Hayley Matthews struck in just the first over, trapping Chamari Athapaththu lbw for a duck at 1/1 (0.4 ov), setting the tone with the ball. Hasini Perera attempted to counterattack, stroking five crisp boundaries in her 27 off 34 balls, and added 43 runs for the second wicket with Harshitha Samarawickrama. However, Matthews once again provided the breakthrough, dismissing Perera at 44/2 in 10.6 overs.
Harshitha Samarawickrama then anchored the innings with a patient 70 off 112 deliveries, mixing caution with timely aggression. She stitched together a vital 78-run partnership for the third wicket with Vishmi Gunaratne, who contributed a steady 26 from 46 balls before falling at 122/3 (30.3 ov), caught off Karishma Ramharack. The innings gained further stability when Kavisha Dilhari joined Samarawickrama. The pair added 39 runs for the fourth wicket before Dilhari accelerated with a fluent 45 off 58 balls, including four boundaries.
Samarawickrama’s dismissal at 133/4 (34.1 ov), caught by Deandra Dottin off Ramharack, triggered a mini collapse. Nilakshika Silva chipped in with 14, but Ashmini Munisar removed her lbw at 161/5 (39.3 ov). Kaushini Nuthyangana (5) and Dewmi Vihanga (12) tried to push the total beyond 220, but sharp fielding resulted in a run-out at 198/7 (47.4 ov). Sugandika Kumari’s unbeaten 9 off 6 balls helped Sri Lanka Women close at 217/7 in 50 overs.
For West Indies Women, Hayley Matthews led the bowling charts with 2/33 in 10 overs, combining control and breakthroughs. Karishma Ramharack was equally impressive with 2/39, while Afy Fletcher (1/39) and Ashmini Munisar (1/42) chipped in at crucial stages. Though Chinelle Henry (0/21 in 3 overs), Aaliyah Alleyne (0/25), and Deandra Dottin (0/17) went wicketless, they maintained pressure through disciplined spells.
Chasing 218, West Indies Women endured a shaky start. Qiana Joseph departed early for 2 (1/4 in 2.1 ov), and Shemaine Campbelle fell for 0 at 12/2 (4.1 ov), both victims of Malki Madara’s incisive spell. At that stage, Sri Lanka sensed an opening. However, captain Hayley Matthews steadied the innings with remarkable composure. She first built a 124-run partnership for the third wicket with Stafanie Taylor, who scored a measured 38 off 70 balls before falling at 136/3 (29.5 ov) to Inoka Ranaweera.
Matthews, displaying leadership and class, reached a superb century, 100 off 119 balls, decorated with 13 fours and a six. She then shared a decisive 33-run stand with Chinelle Henry before departing at 169/4 (36.2 ov), caught off Chamari Athapaththu. By then, the equation had tilted heavily in West Indies’ favour. Chinelle Henry (32* off 48) and Deandra Dottin (24* off 29) ensured there were no further hiccups, adding an unbroken 49-run partnership to take their side home at 218/4 in 46 overs.
For Sri Lanka Women, Malki Madara was the standout with 2/33 in 6 overs, while Inoka Ranaweera (1/39) and Chamari Athapaththu (1/28) picked up one apiece. Sugandika Kumari, Dewmi Vihanga, Kavisha Dilhari, and Nilakshika Silva bowled economically but couldn’t break the crucial middle-order stand.
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