In a thrilling conclusion to the Under-19 Women’s T20 series, Sri Lanka Women Under-19 triumphed over Australia Women Under-19 by 6 wickets at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on September 30, 2025. With the series already secured, Sri Lanka showcased their dominance to complete a clean sweep, successfully chasing down a target of 115 runs in just 17.3 overs.
Australia, after winning the toss, opted to bat first but could only muster 114 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in their allotted 20 overs. Lucy Finn was the standout performer for Australia, scoring 35 runs off 33 balls, supported by Emily Powell, who contributed a careful 33 runs from 40 balls. Despite efforts from the middle and lower-order batters, the total felt modest given the playing conditions.
Sri Lanka’s bowlers came through brilliantly, with Chamodi Praboda leading the charge, claiming 3 wickets for just 16 runs in four overs, which significantly swung the match in Sri Lanka’s favour. Limansa Thilakarathna also played a key role, taking 1 wicket for only 10 runs in three overs, maintaining pressure during a crucial middle phase.
In their chase, Sri Lanka made a confident start, with Manudi Nanayakkara being pivotal. She scored 34* runs off 35 balls, effectively anchoring the innings alongside Shashini Gimhani, who struck a valuable 19* runs off 16 balls. The team surpassed the target with 5.3 overs left to play, finishing at 115/4. Vimoksha Balasooriya (12), Nethagi Isuranjali (14), and Hiruni Hansika (16), all managed starts.
Throughout the five-match series, Sri Lanka’s dominance was clear. Chamodi Praboda stood out as the top wicket-taker, snatching 10 wickets at an impressive average of 6.88, consistently breaking partnerships and leading the bowling attack. On the batting front, Manudi Nanayakkara shone as Sri Lanka’s leading run-scorer, accumulating 147 runs, including two crucial innings that anchored their chases.
For Australia, Emily Powell was their most reliable batter, scoring 119 runs overall, while Lucy Finn’s 35 in the final game showcased her potential. However, Australia struggled to turn promising starts into match-winning scores, which ended up being costly for them. On the bowling front, Ava Drury impressed with 5 wickets in 3 outings, while Finn also struck 5 in 3 outings.
In the end, Sri Lanka’s 5-0 clean sweep was not just a win but a powerful statement about the state of their women’s cricket. Their strong performances with both bat and ball highlighted the growth of their youth pipeline. With outstanding contributions from players like Nanayakkara, Praboda, and Thilakarathna, Sri Lanka really put themselves on the map in women’s youth cricket.
Meanwhile, even though Australia didn’t get the results they were hoping for, the experiences gained from this series will be invaluable for their future stars. Overall, it was a celebration of emerging talent and a promising glimpse into the future of women’s cricket.
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