Sri Lanka women heap more more pain on Windies in T20 opener. – BY TREVINE RODRIGO IN MELBOURNE. (eLanka Sports Editor)
Sri Lanka continued to heap more pain on the touring West Indies with a resounding four- wicket win with 8 balls remaining in the first T20 encounter in Hambantota.
Sri Lanka skipper Chamari Athapaththu failed with the bat but struck telling blows with the ball to restrict the visitors to 134 for 8 after inviting them to take first lease of a wicket that seemed to have little terrors.
The West Indies batters once again showed their vulnerability against spin as they put up a better showing but floundered to a below par total which Sri Lanka’s batters ran down without too much discomfort.
The sharp incline in the Women’s game has infused new interest to the cricket mad nation that has been starved of success from the men’s team who seem to have lost their way.
Sri Lankan fans are glad for the success and well being of the women’s game. But they are also aware that automatic qualification to the upcoming one-day World Cup in India is paramount to belief they are on track to challenge the best.
Two wins out of three games in their upcoming tour to Ireland can deliver that.
Anything less will throw a cloud about where they’re at.
The T20 win gives Sri Lanka a 1-0 advantage in the three-match series. But the West Indies are warming to the conditions and the opposition. The next two games could confirm or deny whether they will stand up and be counted.
West Indies made 134 for 8 with five batters making double figures.
Chamari Athapaththu 4 for 29 off her four overs and Inoshi Priyadharshani 3 for 28 off 4 overs kept Sri Lanka within striking distance.
Sri Lanka’s run chase was not without event as Athapaththu fell cheaply throwing a few tremors through the home camp.
But the new found confidence in the squad spearheaded by prolific opener Vishmi Gunaratne 35 off 35 balls, and Harshitha Samarawickrema 35 off 44 balls picked up the gauntlet and chased down the target with 8 balls to spare.
