Despite the return of talismanic captain Hayley Matthews from injury, the West Indies Women’s cricket team was unable to break their losing streak, succumbing to a four-wicket defeat against Sri Lanka Women in the opening Twenty20 International.
Playing at the Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium, the 26-year-old Matthews, who had missed the last two One-Day Internationals of the preceding series, top-scored with a run-a-ball 30, including five fours. Her efforts helped her struggling side post 134 for eight in their allotted 20 overs.
Sri Lanka Women, in response, were led by Vishmi Gunaratne and Harshitha Samarawickrama, who each scored 35 runs, successfully chasing down the target with eight balls to spare, taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
The chase had its ups and downs, with Sri Lanka comfortably placed at 60 for one in the 10th over before slipping to 116 for six in the 17th over, putting them in danger of defeat. However, Nilakshika Silva (17 not out) and Ama Kanchana (seven not out) managed to stabilize the innings, putting on a crucial 21-run partnership for the unbroken seventh wicket to secure the win.
Early setback
Opting to bat first, West Indies Women faced an early setback when veteran Stafanie Taylor was injured at nine without loss in the third over. Qiana Joseph then joined Matthews, hitting three fours and a six in her 18-ball 20, extending the first wicket stand to 40.
Joseph was bowled by off-spinning captain Chamari Athapaththu (4-29) in the seventh over, and Shemaine Campbelle fell cheaply for five, lbw to off-spinner Priyadharshani Fernando (3-28), leaving the West Indies at 50 for two in the ninth over.
Matthews and Chedean Nation (8) added 27 for the third wicket, while Alleyne and Afy Fletcher (14 not out) put together a 33-run partnership for the seventh wicket, pushing the visitors to their eventual total.
In Sri Lanka’s reply, they lost Athapaththu for one in the third over, caught at deep mid-wicket by Matthews. However, Gunaratne and Samarawickrama steadied the ship with a 46-run, second-wicket stand. Samarawickrama then partnered with Hasini Perera (20) for a 24-run fourth-wicket stand, edging the home side closer to victory.
