Sri Lanka Women edged out West Indies Women by 10 runs in a tense opening ODI at the National Cricket Stadium on Thursday, taking a 1–0 lead in the three-match series.
After being asked to bat first, Sri Lanka built their innings patiently to post a competitive 240 for 6 in their allotted 50 overs. Half-centuries from Hasini Perera and Harshitha Samarawickrama laid the foundation before useful late contributions carried the visitors to a challenging total.
Perera anchored the early stages with a composed 61 off 86 balls, striking six boundaries while adding stability after the early overs. Captain Chamari Athapaththu chipped in with 27 before Samarawickrama played the key innings of the day. Her patient 66 from 105 deliveries held the innings together through the middle overs.
Late acceleration came from Kavisha Dilhari and Dewmi Vihanga. Dilhari’s brisk 22 ensured Sri Lanka maintained momentum, while Vihanga smashed 14 off just six balls to push the total to 240.
West Indies captain Hayley Matthews was the most successful bowler with 2 for 46, while Karishma Ramharack also claimed two wickets.
In reply, West Indies were restricted to 230 in 49.4 overs despite fighting half-centuries from Stafanie Taylor and Jannillea Glasgow. Early strikes kept the hosts under pressure before Taylor rebuilt the innings with a determined 66 off 83 balls.
Glasgow added 50 from 67 deliveries and briefly revived West Indies’ hopes during a crucial partnership. However, Sri Lanka’s bowlers held their nerve in the closing overs.
Left-arm spinner Inoka Ranaweera delivered the decisive spell, finishing with 4 for 44 and earning the Player of the Match award. Kavisha Dilhari provided excellent support with 3 for 49, while Dewmi Vihanga and Malki Madara chipped in with a wicket each.
With the West Indies needing a late surge, Sri Lanka struck at regular intervals to close out a narrow but significant victory and seize the early advantage in the series.
Chief scores
Sri Lanka Women 240/6 (50 overs)
Harshitha Samarawickrama 66, Hasini Perera 61, Chamari Athapaththu 27; Hayley Matthews 2/46, Karishma Ramharack 2/57.
West Indies Women 230 (49.4 overs)
Stafanie Taylor 66, Jannillea Glasgow 50, Aaliyah Alleyne 24*; Inoka Ranaweera 4/44, Kavisha Dilhari 3/49.
Sri Lanka Women won by 10 runs.
