Kavisha Dilhari and Sugandika Kumari starred with the ball before the Sri Lanka top-order made light work of the run chase to go 1-0 up in the ODI series against West Indies.
The Sri Lankan women’s team led by skipper Chamari Athapaththu is all set to host the West Indies led by skipper Hayley Matthews for a white-ball series that includes a three-match ODI series followed by a three-match T20I series. The series gets underway on 15th June (Saturday) 2024 and will conclude on 28th June 2024.
The Sri Lankan skipper Chamari Athapaththu won the toss and opted to field first in the first ODI at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium Sooriyawewa, in Hambantota. After being inserted to bat first, West Indies got off to a poor start as they lost the wicket of their wicket-keeper batter Rashada Williams in the 3rd over of the innings. Achini Kulasuriya provided the first breakthrough for Sri Lanka.
Shemaine Campbelle joined skipper Hayley Matthews at the crease and the duo stitched a much-needed 68-run partnership for the 2nd wicket before they lost a couple of wickets in quick succession, including the wicket of their skipper Hayley Matthews in the 19th over of the innings. Sugandika Kumari provided the double breakthrough for Sri Lanka. Chedean Nation joined Stafanie Taylor at the crease and the duo stitched another crucial 33-run partnership for the 4th wicket. Kavisha Dilhari picked up the wicket of Chedean Nation to provide the 4th breakthrough for her side.
The visitors, Sri Lanka suffered a collapse as they lost their last six wickets for just 86 runs. As a result, they were bundled out for just 195 runs with 17 balls to spare. Skipper Hayley Matthews (38 off 53 balls), Stafanie Taylor (33 off 56 balls), and Shemaine Campbelle (27 off 51 balls) were the top performers with the bat for the West Indies. Sugandika Kumari (9-1-30-3), Kavisha Dilhari (9.1-0-41-3), and skipper Chamari Athapaththu (7-1-21-1) were the top performers with the ball for Sri Lanka.
Chasing a target of 196, the Sri Lankan openers Vishmi Gunaratne and skipper Chamari Athapaththu got their side off to a flying start with an 88-run opening stand, scoring at over six runs per over. Aaliyah Alleyne provided the first breakthrough for the West Indies. The home side, Sri Lanka suffered a mini collapse as they lost their next couple of wickets for just 13 runs. Hasini Perera joined Harshitha Samarawickrama at the crease with Sri Lanka at 101/3 in the 17th over of the run chase.
The duo stitched a massive 73-run partnership for the 4th wicket to take their side closer to victory. Afy Fletcher came back and picked up the wicket of Hasini Perera to provide the fourth breakthrough for her side. She achieved a unique milestone as she picked up her 150th victim in her 150th international appearance for the West Indies. Sri Lanka eventually got over the line with 6 wickets in hand and 95 balls to spare.
Harshitha Samarawickrama (44 off 53 balls), Hasini Perera (43 off 59 balls), Vishmi Gunaratne (40 off 51 balls), and skipper Chamari Athapaththu (38 off 36 balls) were the top performers with the bat for Sri Lanka. Aaliyah Alleyne (6-1-22-2), and Afy Fletcher (5.1-1-31-2) were the top performers with the ball for the West Indies. The Sri Lankan bowlers played a crucial role in helping the home side go 1-0 up in the three-match ODI series.