Skipper Chamari Athapaththu struck fantastic unbeaten knock of 140 in 80 balls with 13 fours and 9 sixes as Sri Lanka women’s cricket team recorded eight wickets win with 13 balls to spare ( D/L method ) over New Zealand women’s team in their third and final ODI game played at Galle International Cricket Stadium yesterday.
Lankan women also recorded first ever series win 2-1 with this superb victory while skipper Chamari Athapaththu who scored her eighth ODI century and second century of the series also earned Player of the Match and Player of the Series awards.
Earlier New Zealand women won the toss and elected to bat first were 127 for 2 wickets in 31overs when heavy rain halted the game. However two umpires Ranmo Martinez and Nirmali Perera decided to resumed play at 3.30pm and Sri Lankan got a revised target of 196 according to D/L method.
Sri Lankan openers skipper Chamari Athapaththu and young Vishmi Gunaratne did not get a good start as Vishmi was out for a duck off the bowling of Lea Tahuhu in fourth ball of the first over. Harshitha Samarawickrama joined Athapaththu but Harshitha was out early scoring three in 10 balls and skipper Sophie Devine got her wicket.
Chamari Athapaththu the hard hitting left hander started her normal game hit the ball all over the ground while Nilakshi de Silva played a good supporting role to build up the innings in a quick session.
Chamari played more aggressively to collect her runs reached her fifty in just 30 balls which was fastest half century by Sri Lankan women’s player and she reached her eighth ODI century to close the target. Nilakshi the number four better played very good supportive role rotate strike well to give more chance to Chamari and New Zealand bowlers were under pressure at this situation. Finally the pair Chamari and Nilakshi de Silva added record third wicket stand of 190 runs which was highest partnership for Sri Lanka any wicket (previous one 159 hit by Chamari and Vishmi Gunaratne at first ODI at this same venue). Nilakshi de Silva was remained 48 in 68 with five fours.
Skipper Chamari Athapaththu said her plan was to hit the ball to increase the total but first four overs had been challenging as New Zealand bowlers bowled well and then we’ll adjust to the conditions and started hit all over the ground. I never go for my personal records but always play for the team.
Under my leadership we performed well with a good team effort to defeat New Zealand women for the first time in history. We wanted to go to World Cup directly with out qualifying round while my team is ready to go forward with this superb effort, said Chamari Athapaththu after prasantation ceremony.
The two teams will meet their T-20 series which will commence from next Saturday (8) at P.Sara Oval Stadium.
Chief scores
New Zealand women’s 127 for 2 wickets in 31overs (Suzie Bates 63*, Amelia Kerr 19, Sophie Devine 38*, Oshadee Ranasinghe 1/22)
Sri Lanka women’s 196 for 2 wickets in 26.5overs (Chamari Athapaththu 140*, Nilakshi de Silva 48*, Lea Tahuhu 1/29, Sophie Devine 1/32)
Be the first to comment