The West Indies Women were condemned to a heavy 160-run defeat, suffering an embarrassing whitewash in their three-match One-Day International (ODI) series against Sri Lanka Women, following another inept batting performance on Friday.
Faced with a daunting target after Sri Lanka Women posted an imposing 275 for six from their 50 overs, thanks to half-centuries from Chamari Athapaththu (91), Nilakshika Silva (63), and Anushka Sanjeewani (55), the visitors crumbled for 115 in the 25th over, losing their third consecutive game by a wide margin.
Having lost the first ODI by six wickets after managing only 195, and the second by five wickets after being dismissed for a meager 92, the West Indies Women struggled again. Opener Chedean Nation top-scored with 46 from 67 balls, while all-rounder Aaliyah Alleyne chipped in with a run-a-ball 27 at number six. However, no other batter managed to surpass 20 runs, as 22-year-old left-arm spinner Sachini Nisansala dismantled the innings with figures of five for 28, earning the Player of the Match honors.
Home advantage
“Obviously, Sri Lanka playing at home, you know there’s a home advantage when you get to play in your country,” said stand-in captain Shemaine Campbelle. “I think they played some good cricket and a few supporters were there for them as well, so all in all, I think they played a good brand of cricket and you must give credit to them.”
Captain Athapaththu was stellar at the top of the order, smashing 10 fours and two sixes off 106 balls, while posting a 93-run opening partnership with Vishmi Gunaratne, whose 44 came from 60 balls and included six fours.
West Indies Women enjoyed their best period when off-spinner Karishma Ramharack (2-46) struck twice in quick succession, reducing the home side to 99 for three in the 23rd over. However, Sri Lanka rebounded through a 57-run, fourth-wicket partnership between Athapaththu and Silva. Silva then combined with wicketkeeper Sanjeewani in a 117-run, fifth-wicket stand, deflating the West Indies Women.
West Indies collapse
Silva struck eight fours in her breezy 78-ball innings, while the 34-year-old Sanjeewani blasted six fours and a six in a terrific 46-ball cameo.
The West Indies Women made a calamitous start to their chase. Rashada Williams was caught at the wicket off veteran left-arm pacer Udeshika Prabodhani for one at the start of the fifth over, and Campbelle was leg before wicket to 21-year-old pacer Kawya Kavindi without scoring in the next over.
Slumping at five for two, West Indies Women were momentarily stabilized by Nation, who struck seven fours in a 57-run,, third-wicket stand with former captain Stafanie Taylor (16). However, Taylor’s departure at the start of the 20th over, caught behind cutting at off-spinner Oshadi Ranasinghe (2-14), led to a collapse. The last eight wickets fell for just 53 runs. Nation was eventually bowled driving down the wrong line at off-spinner Athapaththu in the 23rd over.
