Sri Lanka women clinch series after Atapattu heroics

A stunning batting display by captain Chamari Atapattu saw Sri Lanka women record a comprehensive eight-wicket win over New Zealand women in the third ODI between the teams in Galle yesterday.Set a revised target of 196 in 29 overs, Sri Lanka women won with 13 deliveries to spare as Atapattu and Nilakshi de Silva were involved in an unfinished 190 run stand for the third wicket to see Sri Lanka home.

The hosts were in a spot of bother, as they lost two wickets with just six runs on the board, but Atapattu threw caution to the wind showcasing attack is the best form of defence.

Atapattu, who had posted a match-winning hundred in the first ODI too reached her second hundred in the series off just 60 deliveries and was unbeaten on 140 that came off 80 deliveries with 13 hits to the rope and nine over it.While Atapattu was the aggressor Nilakshi de Silva was the anchor as her unbeaten 48 came off 68 deliveries with five fours.

It was Atapattu’s eighth ODI hundred and only three other players have made more ODI hundreds than her in the world.She finished the series with 248 runs and was named both Player of the Match and Player of the Series.

Earlier the New Zealand innings was reduced to 31 overs and the White Ferns posted 127 for two with Suzie Bates top scoring with 63. Skipper Sophie Devine chipped in with an unbeaten 38.

The series is part of the ICC Women’s Championship and Sri Lanka are well placed with ten points just behind first-placed India, who have 12 points.The teams now move to Colombo for the three-match T20 series which P. Sara Oval will host.

New Zealand had won the second ODI but with a big win in the final ODI, Sri Lanka clinched the three-match series 2-1.

Brief Scores:

New Zealand 127 for two in 29 overs (Suzie Bates 63*, Sophie Devine 38*, Oshadi Ranasinghe 1-22)

Sri Lanka 196 for two in 26.5 overs (Chamari Atapattu 140*, Nilakshi de Silva 48*, Lea Tahuhu 1-29, Sophie Devine 1-32)

Result:

Sri Lanka won by eight wickets and 13 balls to spare.

Series:

Sri Lanka 2-1.