Chamari Athapaththu smashes New Zealand to a memorable series win in the one-dayers – by TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE (eLanka Sports Editor)
Inspirational skipper makes Sri Lanka proud by soaring to number one in ICC rankings.
Inspirational skipper Chamari Athapaththu fashioned a lone crusade as she made Sri Lanka proud of a first ever one-day series win over New Zealand.
Sri Lanka’s superstar in the womens game, carved up the respected Kiwi attack in the series decider, smashing 140 off 80 balls to literally single handedly decide the decider in an amazing array of strokeplay that left the visitors dumbfounded.
The 2-1 series win was Sri Lanka’s first against a top echelon team in world cricket and those lucky to witness it in Galle will long savour those special memories.
What was more memorable was Athapaththu’s lead from the front scoring two centuries against a proven attack in three games, which was the ultimate difference between winning and losing.
She stands head over shoulders above anyone who have represented Sri Lanka and in fact the world, in the women’s game, and Is fast establishing herself as a legend for her country.
In fact her heroics in this series has sky-rocketed her to number one in the world batting rankings by the ICC.
New Zealand, like many before them, were beaten but unbowed after a comprehensive thrashing of the home team in the second game, making it a riveting see- sawing contest in the three match series.
But importantly it marked the emergence of Sri Lanka as a force to be reckoned with.
It’s on to the T20 series as the Kiwis try to salvage some pride against an opponent not in the elite company.
Basking in the glory of that success, Sri Lanka will undoubtedly be fixated on pressing home their new found confidence.
If Athapaththu continues her purple patch, New Zealand will have memories best forgotten.
What has probably gone unnoticed is the role of coach Rumesh Ratnayake whose input since he took over appears to have revolutionised the team.
Ratnayake, a former star of Sri Lanka cricket in its formative years has had stints with the men’s team as caretaker coach and his experience and knowledge appears to have had a tremendous impact on the women’s cricket team’s progress.
