Sri Lanka Women Under-19 delivered an impressive performance, defeating Australia Women Under-19 by a staggering 180 runs in the one-off Youth One-Dayer at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on September 28, 2025. This match, part of the Australia Women Under-19 tour of Sri Lanka, showcased Sri Lanka’s prowess in every aspect of the game.
Choosing to bat first, Sri Lanka amassed a formidable total of 266 for seven in 50 overs. The standout player was Sanjana Kavindi, who played a brilliant innings, scoring 92 runs off 121 balls, with 12 boundaries and a six to her name. Her blend of patience and aggression laid a solid foundation for the team’s innings.
Rashmi Nethranjali also played a vital role, contributing a steady 59 from 84 balls, guiding Sri Lanka through the critical middle phases. Late hitting from Rashmika Sewwandi, who scored 22 off just 15 balls, ensured they crossed the 260-mark, while extras added a valuable 32 runs to the total.
In reply, the Australian Women Under-19 struggled to find their footing, collapsing to 86 all out in just 24.4 overs. Lucy Finn was the only player to put up some resistance, scoring 34 runs off 44 balls, but aside from her and captain Samara Dulvin’s 16 off 41 deliveries, the rest of the lineup faltered. Early wickets sent Australia into a tailspin, and they never managed to recover from the setbacks they faced.
Sri Lanka’s bowling was equally impressive. Limansa Thilakarathna was exceptional, leading the attack with three wickets for just seven runs in four overs, putting Australia in a difficult position right from the start.
Shashini Gimhani supported her well with 3/18 in 5.4 overs. Other bowlers, including Rashmika Sewwandi, Chamodi Praboda, and Rashmi Nethranjali, contributed with a wicket each, maintaining an accurate line and length that left the Australian batters in disarray.
Rashmi Nethranjali deservedly received the Player of the Match award for her impressive all-round display, not only scoring a crucial 59 but also taking an important wicket in the Australian innings. Her contributions, alongside Kavindi’s standout performance and the disciplined bowling unit, were crucial in securing the victory.
This commanding win is a significant confidence boost for the young Sri Lankan cricketers and highlights the growing talent in the country’s women’s cricket scene, with potential future stars making their mark. On the flip side, the Australian Women Under-19 will need to reassess their batting strategy after a disappointing outcome on this tour.
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