Sri Lanka lasses off to winning start

West Indies women’s tour of Sri Lanka 2024

Sugandika Kumari and Kavisha Dilhari’s three-wicket hauls paved the way for Sri Lanka’s first women’s ODI victory over West Indies since 2015, as they took a 1-0 lead in the three-match series in Hambantota on Saturday. Sri Lanka had lost their previous six ODIs against West Indies before this match.

West Indies started strongly, reaching 75 for 1 thanks to a 68-run partnership between Hayley Matthews and Shemaine Campbelle. However, they lost momentum after Kumari dismissed Campbelle in the 19th over, collapsing to 120 runs for the loss of their last eight wickets. Apart from Matthews (38) and Stafanie Taylor (33), no other West Indies batter managed to score more than 30 runs, as the Sri Lankan spinners dominated.

In response, Sri Lanka’s top five batters performed well, with four of them scoring over 35 runs. Captain Chamari Athapaththu (38) and Vishmi Gunaratne (40) provided a solid foundation with an 88-run opening partnership. Although Sri Lanka stumbled briefly, losing three quick wickets, Harshitha Samarawickrama (44*) and Hasini Perera (43) steadied the ship with a 63-run stand for the fourth wicket, guiding their team to victory. Afy Fletcher did manage to pick up a consolation wicket towards the end of the game.

Brief Scores:

Sri Lanka Women: 198 for 4 (Harshitha Samarawickrama 44*, Hasini Perera 43, Vishmi Gunaratne 40, Chamari Athapaththu 38, Aaliyah Alleyne 2-22, Afy Fletcher 2-31)

West Indies Women 195 (Hayley Matthews 38, Stefanie Taylor 33, Sugandika Kumari 3-30, Kavisha Dilhari 3-41)