Chamari Athapaththu underlines her superiority as one of the Wrld’s best. Epic 195 sinks South Africa in world record run chase. – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE. (eLanka Sports Editor)
True grit and a never say die attitude is what champions are made of. Sri Lanka is definitely blessed with one in brilliant Chamari Athapaththu who single-handedly steered her country to a massive victory over South Africa while breaking many world records along the way with it.
Chasing what seemed like an improbable target of 301, Sri Lanka’s skipper waded into a hapless South African attack with the deft and dexterity of the now established world champion, spraying them to all parts as Sri Lanka galloped past the target with 33 balls to spare.
Her 195 not out, the third highest individual score, off only 139 deliveries with 26 fours and 5 sixers will remain in the annals of history for many years to come, and definitely ranks as one of the best one day efforts in the women’s game ever.
It also registers the highest individual score in a winning run chase and the win was the biggest in this format chasing a total of over 300.
The mental shift in Sri Lanka’s recent performances has been noticeable to say the least and it certainly has lifted their profile in the world game.
Chamari Athapaththu has shouldered Sri Lanka’s fortunes for quite some time now after the retirement of some former stars such as Shashikala Siriwardena.
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She has made giant strides in all three formats of the game. But has been extra special in the shorter version with her explosive strokeplay that has thrilled fans around the world.
The easy going Sri Lankan has won the respect and praise from the best players of the game who marvel at her incredible talent and achievements.
Chamari’s demeanour is one built around a fierce competitive spirit fuelled by the pride of representing her country and a mindset that demands respect for cricketer’s in the Asian region in particular. She has been an outspoken ambassador to that cause recently.
Her freakish ability is built around an unorthodox method of dispatching bowlers to all parts which makes setting a field to her a daunting prospect, much like countryman Sanath Jayasuriya in the men’s version of the game a few years ago.
Sri Lanka’s champion batter has silenced all her critics after being snubbed by Australian franchises in the Big Bash then being picked up as an afterthought and going on to be voted player of the series.
The accolades got better when she was named Skipper of the World T20 team much to the amazement of everyone.
Athapaththu’s achievements have sky-rocketed Sri Lanka in the world rankings as players in the team have drawn inspiration from her performances and have stepped up to make them a formidable force.
There’s also that change in the mental side of things in Sri Lanka women’s cricket that appears to have been instilled in them from a coaching perspective thanks to new coach Rumesh Ratnayake and his team. The mindset of self belief and backing themselves against any opposition is reaping huge dividends.
South Africa batted first and rattled up 301 for 4 and appeared to be confident of defending it.
But they reckoned without Chamari Athapaththu who strode out and produced a gem of an innings that left them beaten and dumbfounded.
South African opener Laura Wolvaardt smashed a brilliant 184 off 147 balls with 23 fours and4 sixers to push South Africa above 300 for 5 in their allotment.
Sr Lanka looked unsteady at 126 for four when Athapaththu found an ally in Nilakshita Silva, (50 off 71), and together they raced to the target with controlled aggression.
It is a game that not only levelled the series buy will live in the minds of cricket lovers in both countries for years to come.
