A clinical performance by the Indian batters and bowlers saw them cruise to a comfortable 109 run win over Sri Lanka in the teams’ 2nd Women’s World Cup warm-up game in Chesterfield last evening.
Indian skipper Mithali Raj won the toss and elected to bat first. The Indian openers repaid her faith by putting on 92 runs for the 1st wicket in little under 20 overs. Smriti Mandhana was the 1st to go, falling short of her half century by 6 runs as Lankan skipper made the breakthrough. A 49 run partnership between Raj and Poonam Raut put the Indians well on their way to a big total. Raj top scored with 85 while Raut made 69 as India finished on 275/8.
Sri Lanka would be pleased they managed to pick up some wickets in this game after their disappointing display against England on Monday. Ama Kanchana picked up 2 wickets while Oshadi Ranasinghe was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 1/42 in her 9 overs.
Sri Lanka’s chase got off to a bad start once again as they lost Nipuni Hansika in the third over. Survival seemed to be the order of the day for the Lions as they just did not seem able to get the Indian bowlers away. The only positive the team would perhaps take from the performance would be the fact that 4 of their top 5 spent some quality time in the middle. Dilani Manodara top scored with 49 while Prasadini Weerakkody and Chamari Atapattu chipped in with 30s. The Lankans were ultimately bowled out for 166 in 48.4 overs with left arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad picking up wickets.
