Published: Jul 09, 2017, 10:03 PM (IST)
Edited: Jul 09, 2017, 10:08 PM (IST)
In battle of the table bottom’s Sri Lanka took on West Indies in Match No.20 of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2017. Asked to chase 230 runs by West Indies, Sri Lanka on a tricky wicket at County Ground at Derby gave in to the spin of Anisa Mohammed who rocked their formidable middle order. Sri Lanka had a glimmer of hope with Chamari Atapattu and Shashikala Siriwardene resisting their opponents during their 61-run stand. In the end, the target proved too much for the islanders as they bowed out of the game by 47 runs. This was West Indies’ first win of the tournament.
Sri Lanka’s chase got of to a torrid start losing Nipuni Hansika and Hasini Perera within the first 6 overs. Hayley Mathews bowled Nipuni for 9, while Hasini gave a simple caught behind to the keeper off Stafanie Taylor for 4. Chamari and Shashikala weather the storm away and ensured that Sri Lanka do not suffer a collapse. While Chamari played with calmness, Shashikala took the aerial route more often than not. The pair added 61 runs, before Anisa struck gold.
Chamari deceived in flight by Anisa, got herself stumped for a 50-ball 26. Dilani Manodara too perished on her first-ball to a classical off-spin delivery off Anisa. Shashikala too fell in the same fashion to Anisa, difference being she was bowled as opposed to being leg before. She made a valiant 33.
Oshadi Ranasinghe and Prasadani Weerakkody steadied a sinking ship. Prasadani played quite aggressively to dent West Indies’ hope of an early win. Sadly for Sri Lanka, Prasadani was run out for 30 after miscommunication with Osadi cost the former her wicket. The pair added 42 runs for the sixth wicket.
Ama Kanchana came out at No.8. Much like her partner earlier, Oshadi too was run out for 9. Post her wicket it was all down-hill for Sri Lanka as Afy Fletcher cleaned up the tail in no time. Her first victim was Udeshika Prabodhani who made a 10 off 14, while the final wicket to fall was Inoka Ranaweera, who got bowled for 0.
Sripali Weerakkody remained unbeaten on 13, as her side bundled out for 182 runs.
Batting first West Indies had a curious show in the middle with almost every batswomen getting starts. Merissa Aguilleira and Deandra Dottin ensured that West Indies did not slump to a lowly score. Openers Hayley Matthews and Kycia Matthews got them to a decent start, before Sripali Weerakkody picked up the former for 6.
Stafanie Taylor’s stay was short-lived departed for 4. Chedean Nation added only 20 runs to the score before falling to Ama Kanchana. Next to go was Kycia for a 53-ball 19 to a simple leg-before by Shashikala Sriwardene. Deandra did provide the fans present at the stadium with some fireworks but it was only for brief period. She became Inoka Ranaweera’s first scalp for a 25-ball 38.
Merissa continued to bat from one end as she fell short of partners time and again. Kyshona Knight came out at No.6 and added 37 runs along with Merissa to get West Indies near the 200-run mark. She fell for 26 to a straighter-one by Inoka.
Shanel Daley played a crucial knock of 21 runs, adding 31 runs with Merissa before falling to Ama. Afy Fletcher fell for just 3 to Sripali. Akeira Peters was run out for 4 in an attempt to get a quick single. It was Anisa Mohammed who held fort from one end making 7 in a partnership of 23 runs with Merissa. Merissa remained unbeaten on 46 off 59 balls.
Brief score:
West Indies Women 229 for 9 in 50 overs (Merissa Aguilleria 46*, Deandra Dottin 38; Sripali Weerakkody 3 for 38) beat Sri Lanka Women 182 all out in 48 overs (Shashikala Siriwardene 38, Prasadani Weerakkody 30 ; Anisa Mohammed 3 for 39 ) by 47 runs.
Player of the Match: Anisa Mohammed
