Cricket enthusiasts can look forward to a thrilling face-off as two of the world’s leading women’s all-rounders meet in a six-match white-ball series between Sri Lanka Women and West Indies Women next month.
West Indies Women’s captain, Hayley Matthews, currently ranked No. 1 in the world, will go head-to-head with Sri Lanka Women’s captain, Chamari Athapaththu, who holds the No. 5 spot. The series, comprising three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and three Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), will take place between June 15 and 28.
Sri Lanka Cricket, the governing body for the sport in the island nation, announced the schedule yesterday. The T20Is are set for June 15, 18, and 21 in Galle, while the ODIs will be held on June 24, 26, and 28 in Hambantota.
Significant importance for both teams
These matches are of significant importance for both teams. The ODIs are part of the ICC Women’s Championship, contributing to direct qualification for the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup next year in India. Meanwhile, the T20Is will serve as preparation for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup scheduled for September-October in Bangladesh.
The West Indies Women recently returned from a successful tour of Pakistan, where they won seven out of eight matches. They swept the hosts in three ICC Women’s Championship ODIs and secured a 4-1 victory in a five-match T20I series. This performance added six crucial points to their tally in the 10-team Women’s Championship table, enhancing their chances of direct qualification for next year’s World Cup in India.
Currently, the West Indies Women have 14 points from six wins and two no-results in 15 matches, placing them seventh in the standings. They need to continue their strong performance to secure one of the five direct qualification spots for the World Cup, alongside the host nation.
Hayley Matthews, named the ICC Women’s T20I Player of the Year for 2023, showcased her exceptional skills during the Pakistan tour, earning her the ICC Player of the Month award for April.
The ICC Player of the Month award
Chamari Athapaththu also had a remarkable performance during Sri Lanka’s recent tour of South Africa. Her team drew 1-1 in a three-match Women’s Championship ODI series (with one match abandoned due to rain) and triumphed 2-1 in a T20I series. Athapaththu’s outstanding contributions placed her in contention for the ICC Player of the Month award.
Sri Lanka Women earned three points from their ODI series in South Africa, bringing their total to 14 points from five wins and four no-results in 18 matches. They currently sit eighth in the Women’s Championship standings.
The last bilateral series between West Indies Women and Sri Lanka Women took place seven years ago, with the Caribbean side sweeping both the T20Is and ODIs. Historically, West Indies Women have dominated the T20Is against Sri Lanka Women with an 18-4 head-to-head record. However, the ODIs have been more competitive, with the West Indies winning 18 matches compared to Sri Lanka’s 14 victories.
