Navy Women’s team beat a disarrayed Army women’s team by 7 wickets to book their place in the final of the women’s limited over cricket tournament.
The first semi-final of the women’s limited over cricket tournament was played today at the MCA grounds. The Navy women won the toss and elected to field first. Army women got off to a reasonable start but lost opener Rebeca Vandort LBW plumb in front for 7 runs off 17 balls. Just minute’s later opening partner Nipuni Hansika was caught out by Inoka Ranaweera off the bowling of Navy captain Shashikala Siriwardene for 19 runs off 23 with 3 fours. Following the loss of their openers Udeni Chaturika tried to keep the score board ticking but she was caught by Chandi Wickramasinghe off the bowling of Maduri Samuddika for 10 runs off 34 deliveries.
Soon after the top three batswomen of the team were dismissed Army women found themselves in deep trouble as they were reduced to 49 runs for the loss of 5 wickets. None of the other batswomen could manage to make an impact on the score board as the Army women were bundled out for a mere 82 runs for the loss of 10 wickets in 34.1 overs.
The Navy women got off to a good start as openers put on a 29 run stand for the first wicket. Dedunu Silva was the first to lose her wicket for the Navy women’s team as she was clean bowled by Sharina Ravikumar for 18 runs in 20 balls. Just ten runs later Navy lost their second wicket as Deepika Rasangika was caught Nilakshi de Silva off the bowling of Niluka Karunaratne for a duck.
Following the loss of two wickets Navy Captain Shashikala Siriwardene came out and along with Prasadani Weerakkody steadied the ship and build up a good 23 run partnership to bring the Navy women’s team ever so close to victory only to have Prasadani Weerakkody caught LBW off the bowling of Sugandika Kumari for a well constructed 26 runs off 55 balls with 3 boundaries. Next batswomen Eshani Lokusriyage alongside Captain Shashikala Siriwardene completed an easy win for the Navy women’s team by 7 wickets.
Brief Scores:
Army women: 82/10 in 34.1 over’s. Nipuni Hansika 19, Udeni Chaturika 10, Udeshika Prabodhani 3/13.
Navy women: 84/3 in 19.5 overs. Prasadani Weerakkody 26, Dedunu Silva 18, Sugandika Kumari 1/20.
