Skipper Chamari Atapattu hit excellent knock of unbeaten 108 while 17-years-old Vishmi Gunaratne struck her maiden half century as Sri Lanka women recorded a historical nine wickets win over New Zealand women’s in their first ODI match of the three match series played at Galle International Cricket Stadium yesterday.
It was superb batting display by Sri Lanka openers while experienced Chamari Atapattu who anchored the innings with her 7th ODI century and young Vishmi Gunaratne made good supportive role to win the game. This was Sri Lanka ‘ s first win over more fancied New Zealand in the Lankan women’s cricket history.
New Zealand women’s won the toss and elected to bat first in this rain effected game.
The game started at 1.30pm due to bad weather while match referee Vennesa de Silva and two umpires Gamini Dissanayake and Nimali Perera decided to play 29 overs a side game. However when New Zealand women’s were 62 for 2 wickets after 12.5 overs once again game was halted by unexpected rain and 15 minutes later resumed play and umpires decided to play 28 overs a side game.
New Zealand women’s made 170 for 5 wickets in 28 overs while Amelia Kerr (40), Maddy Green (38), Suzie Bates (28) made useful knocks. Sugandika Kumari and Inoka Ratnaweera the spinners shared one wicket each.
Sri Lanka women’s chasing a target of 172 runs in 28 overs and openers Chamari Atapattu and Vishmi Gunaratne made record 159 runs stand which is the highest by Sri Lanka openers. Atapattu the left hander reached her century in 79 balls with 10 fours and 4 sixes while Vishmi Gunaratne completed her maiden fifty in 73 balls with three fours finally out caught by Brooke Halliday off the bowling of skipper Sophie Devine which was the solitary wicket for Kiwis. Atapattu who hit her fifth six off Fran Jones at 27th over followed by the winning single to record comfortable nine wicket win.
Chamari Atapatthu was named Player of the Match for her unbeaten century.
The teams will batttle in their second ODI on Friday at the same venue, Galle international cricket stadium.
Chief scores
New Zealand women’s 170 for 5 wickets in 28 overs Suzie Bates 28,Bernardine Bezuidenhout 13, Amelia Kerr 40, Sophie Devine 19,Maddy Green 38,Georgia Plimmer 23*, Sugandika Kumari 1/28, Kavisha Dilhari 1/26,Inoka Ranaweera 1/41
Sri Lanka women’s 172 for 1 in 27 overs Chamari Atapatthu 108*, Vishmi Gunaratne 50, Sophie Devine 1/20.
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