Chamari Athapaththu has etched her name in the history books of Sri Lankan cricket, becoming the first women’s batter from the country to attain the prestigious No.1 spot in the ICC ODI rankings. Her extraordinary performances in the recent series against New Zealand have propelled her to the top, solidifying her status as one of the brightest stars in the sport.
In the three-match ODI series against New Zealand, Athapaththu showcased her exceptional batting prowess, leading Sri Lanka to a historic series victory. The team’s triumph marked their first-ever bilateral series win against the White Ferns, making it a momentous occasion for Sri Lankan cricket.
The series opener on June 27 set the tone for Athapaththu’s heroics. She displayed sheer dominance with an unbeaten knock of 108 runs, guiding Sri Lanka to a comprehensive nine-wicket victory in a rain-affected match. This remarkable performance not only secured a win for her team but also laid the foundation for her subsequent achievements.
🚨 BREAKING NEWS!! 🚨
Chamari Athapaththu becomes the first Sri Lankan female cricketer to rank Number 1 in the ICC ODI Batter rankings.#CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/jFNLc7qXKb
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) July 4, 2023
However, it was in the third and final ODI of the series that Athapaththu truly etched her name in the record books. Chasing a revised target of 196 runs in 29 overs, Sri Lanka found themselves in early trouble at 6-2. But the left-handed batter refused to succumb to the pressure and unleashed a stunning display of power hitting.
In a whirlwind innings, Athapaththu smashed an unbeaten 140 runs off just 80 deliveries, which included an astonishing nine sixes. Her century, achieved in a mere 60 balls, became the fourth fastest in the history of women’s one-day internationals. With her pyrotechnics, she single-handedly propelled Sri Lanka to an eight-wicket victory, sealing the series triumph in the process.
During her monumental knock of 140 runs, Athapaththu achieved another remarkable feat. She scored 71.42% of the team’s total, breaking her own record for the highest percentage of runs scored by a batter in a team total. Previously, she held the record with 69.26% of the runs scored against Australia in 2017. This achievement further solidifies Athapaththu’s reputation as a true match-winner for Sri Lanka.
From 6/2 to 196/2
We have witnessed one of the best ODI run-chases in the history of women's cricket. #CricketTwitter 📸 Getty pic.twitter.com/41cbYbi0pY
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) July 3, 2023
Athapaththu’s meteoric rise in the women’s ODI rankings has drawn comparisons to another Sri Lankan cricketing legend, Sanath Jayasuriya. With her ascent to the No.1 spot, she joins Jayasuriya as the only two players from Sri Lanka to have reached the pinnacle of the ODI rankings.
Jayasuriya, a left-handed opener in the men’s team, dominated international cricket during his playing career and revolutionized the role of the opener in limited-overs cricket. Athapaththu’s achievements mirror the impact and success of her male counterpart, further emphasizing her impact on the game.
Athapaththu’s rise to the top of the ODI rankings is a testament to her consistency and prolific run-scoring abilities. Since making her debut against West Indies in 2010, she has amassed a staggering 3,199 runs in 95 matches, making her the highest run-scorer for Sri Lanka in women’s cricket. Her tally includes eight centuries and 15 half-centuries, highlighting her ability to convert starts into big scores.
🚨 HISTORY MADE!! 🚨
FIRST-EVER BILATERAL SERIES WIN AGAINST NEW ZEALAND for SRI LANKA WOMEN's TEAM#CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/tW2OOJyvRh
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) July 3, 2023
Athapaththu’s achievements go beyond personal records and rankings. With her leadership and exceptional performances, she has propelled Sri Lankan women’s cricket to new heights. The series victory against New Zealand marked their first bilateral series win in over 15 years, a testament to the team’s growth and development under Athapaththu’s captaincy.
As Athapaththu continues to lead Sri Lanka’s charge in women’s cricket, her rise to the top of the ODI rankings serves as an inspiration to aspiring cricketers in her country and beyond. Her achievements highlight the immense talent and potential in women’s cricket and pave the way for future generations of Sri Lankan cricketers.