Sri Lanka registered a comfortable win over West Indies in the second Women’s ODI of the 3-match series played today (18th June) at Hambantota. With this win, the hosts managed to take an unassailable 2-0 lead to claim the series.
Opting to bat first, West Indies got off to a slow start, putting on 17 runs for 2 wickets in the powerplay phase.
The Sri Lankan bowlers continued to put pressure on the visitors, picking up wickets at regular intervals. West Indies were eventually bowled out for just 92 runs with Kavisha Dilhari producing a superb spell – 4 wickets for 20 runs.
In the run-chase, Sri Lanka faced an early setback, losing their Skipper Athapaththu and No. 3 batter Harshitha Samarawickrama inside the first 6 overs.
However, the opening batter Vishmi Gunaratne and Kavisha Dilhari joined hands in a crucial stand to drive Sri Lanka out of the woods. Gunaratne struck a fine half-century, while Dilhari chipped in with a useful 28 runs as the hosts crossed over the line in the 22nd over with 5 wickets in hand.
This series win is a significant milestone by Sri Lanka Women’s Cricket Team as they beat West Indies Women’s Cricket Team in a bilateral ODI series after 16 years.
The third and final ODI between the sides will be played on the 21st June at the same venue.
Brief Scores
West Indies – 92 (31) Rashada Williams 24, Kavisha Dilhari 4/20, Chamari Athapaththu 2/8, Achini Kulasuriya 2/16
Sri Lanka – 93/5 (21.2) Vishmi Gunaratne 50, Kavisha Dilhari 28, Karishma Ramharack 2/29
Result – Sri Lanka won by 5 wickets
 at Hambantota. With this win, the hosts managed to take an unassailable 2-0 lead to claim the series.){kind=link}