Sri Lanka Women’s Cricket Team Secures Historic Series Sweep Over West Indies

In a stellar display of dominance, the Sri Lanka women’s cricket team completed a clean sweep of the ODI series against the West Indies, clinching a decisive 3-0 victory with a resounding win in the third and final match. Held on June 21 at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium in Hambantota, this triumph marked a significant high point for the Sri Lankan team, highlighting their growing prowess in international women’s cricket.

A Commanding Performance

The final match of the series saw Sri Lanka winning the toss and opting to bat first, a decision that paid off handsomely. The team posted an imposing total of 275 runs for the loss of six wickets in their allotted 50 overs. This score was built on the back of stellar performances by several key players, with veteran batter Chamari Athapaththu leading the charge.

Athapaththu, a cornerstone of Sri Lankan women’s cricket, played a captain’s knock of 91 runs, anchoring the innings and setting the stage for a formidable total. Her innings was a blend of aggressive stroke play and cautious consolidation, ensuring that Sri Lanka maintained a strong run rate while preserving wickets for a late assault.

Partnership Power

Athapaththu found a reliable partner in Nilakshi de Silva, who contributed a valuable 63 runs. Their partnership was instrumental in stabilizing the innings after the early loss of wickets, and they managed to put together a substantial stand that frustrated the West Indies bowlers.

Adding to the batting firepower was Anushka Sanjeewani, who played a quickfire knock of 55 runs off just 46 deliveries. Sanjeewani’s aggressive approach in the latter stages of the innings provided the much-needed impetus, pushing the total beyond the reach of the West Indies team. Her ability to find the gaps and her aggressive running between the wickets kept the scoreboard ticking at a healthy rate.

West Indies Struggle in Reply

Chasing a daunting target of 275, the West Indies team found themselves under immediate pressure. Sri Lanka’s bowling attack, spearheaded by the talented Sachini Nisansala, proved too formidable for the visitors. Nisansala’s exceptional bowling performance saw her claim five wickets, effectively dismantling the West Indies’ batting lineup.

Chedean Nation was the standout performer for the West Indies with the bat, scoring 46 runs. However, she found little support from her teammates, with Aaliyah Alleyne’s 27 being the next best contribution. The West Indies were eventually bowled out for a meager 115 runs in 34.5 overs, falling 160 runs short of the target.

Celebrating a Historic Victory

This series win is a monumental achievement for the Sri Lanka women’s cricket team, marking their dominance over a formidable opponent. The clean sweep against the West Indies is a testament to the team’s hard work, determination, and growing stature in the international arena.

Chamari Athapaththu, reflecting on the series win, expressed her pride in the team’s performance. “This series victory is a huge moment for us. It shows how far we have come as a team and the potential we have. The girls have worked incredibly hard, and it’s wonderful to see our efforts pay off.”