ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada — Sri Lanka Women left no doubt about their superiority.
An unbeaten half-century from opener Hasini Perera powered the visitors to a commanding nine-wicket victory over West Indies Women in the third and final T20 International at the National Stadium on Tuesday, sealing a 2-0 series sweep.
Chasing a modest target of 120, Sri Lanka cruised to 121 for one with 14 balls remaining. Perera’s composed 52 not out anchored the pursuit and earned her Player-of-the-Match honors.
Swift start, ruthless finish
Sri Lanka’s reply was assertive from the outset. Captain Chamari Athapaththu launched an aggressive assault, striking 34 from 25 deliveries, including five boundaries.
She and Perera raced to 49 inside 6.4 overs before Chinelle Henry produced a brilliant diving catch at deep square leg off the bowling of Afy Fletcher to remove the Sri Lankan skipper.
Any hopes of a West Indies resurgence were swiftly extinguished.
Perera and Imesha Dulani combined for an unbroken 72-run partnership, calmly guiding their side home. Dulani’s brisk 34 not out from 25 balls, punctuated by five fours, provided ideal support as Sri Lanka methodically closed out the contest.
West Indies’ inning falters early
Earlier, after being sent in to bat by Athapaththu, West Indies once again struggled to generate sustained momentum on a surface offering turn.
The home side made four changes, seeking renewed energy with the bat, including the debut of hard-hitting Eboni Brathwaite. However, the reshuffle failed to yield immediate dividends.
Captain Hayley Matthews was first to fall, caught and bowled by spinner Sugandika Kumari for eight. Shawnisha Hector followed shortly after, bowled by Inoka Ranaweera for five, before Kumari accounted for Brathwaite for eight, leaving West Indies reeling at 28 for three in the fifth over.
Brief resistance, then collapse
Veteran Stafanie Taylor (24) and the explosive Deandra Dottin (28) attempted to stabilize the innings, adding 48 for the fourth wicket.
Just as acceleration seemed imminent, Ranaweera trapped Dottin leg before wicket, and Taylor fell shortly thereafter to Kavisha Dilhari, leaving the hosts precariously positioned at 78 for five with only three overs remaining.
A late surge from Henry, an unbeaten 32 from just 15 balls featuring two towering sixes, lifted the total to 119 for five. Yet even with that late flourish, the target appeared insufficient against a confident Sri Lankan lineup.
Ranaweera led the bowling effort with disciplined figures of two for 16 from four overs, underlining Sri Lanka’s control throughout the series.
A captain’s series
Athapaththu’s leadership and all-round contributions earned her the Player-of-the-Series award, capping a comprehensive triumph on Caribbean soil.
For Sri Lanka, the series reflected precision with the ball and poise with the bat. For West Indies, it was another reminder of the consistency required at the international level.
On this occasion, it was Perera’s calm authority that defined the finale, and sealed a dominant sweep.
