Sri Lanka Women they started touring West India 2026 with a thrilling 10-run win over West Indies Women in the first ODI at the National Cricket Stadium in Grenada. In a contest that ebbed and flowed throughout the evening, it was magic that defined composure and composure under pressure. Inoka Ranaweera eventually separated the two sides.
After being bowled by the hosts, Sri Lanka Women posted a competitive total of 240/6 in their allotted 50 overs. In reply, West Indies Women fought hard but were bowled out for 230 in 49.4, falling agonizingly short despite a spirited chase.
Harshitha Samarawickrama and Hasini Perera anchor Sri Lanka’s solid total
Sri Lanka’s innings was built on patience and partnership. An opener Hasini Perera provided a steady start with a well-crafted 61 off 86 balls, hitting six boundaries and converting the strike effectively. although the captain Chamari Athapathu failed to convert his start, his 27 off 37 deliveries provided the early momentum.
The backbone of the shots was, however Harshitha Samarawickrama66 out of 105 balls. He held the innings together through the middle innings, absorbing pressure and letting others bat around him. Contributions from Nilakshi de Silva and Kavisha Dilhariboth scored 22 goals and kept the scoreboard ticking.
A late bloomer Dewmi VihangaA smashing 14 off just six balls, including a six, gave Sri Lanka a vital boost in the final and took the total to 240.
For West Indies Women, the captain Hayley Matthews and an off-spinner Karishma Ramharack and collected two goalkeepers each Aaliyah Alleyne and Deandra Dottin chopped with each. Disciplined spells notwithstanding Shawnisha Hector and Chinelle Henrythe home side struggled to contain the run flow in the final overs.
Also READ: West Indies have announced their 15-man women’s squad for the ODI series against Sri Lanka
Stafanie Taylor and Jannillea Glasgow battle it out but Inoka Ranaweera changes the game
Chasing 241, West Indies Women were never quite in control of the run chase. The early wickets slowed down with Matthews and Qiana Joseph it goes cheap. Veteran projectile Stephanie Taylor then combined caution with well-timed aggression to topple 66 off 83 balls.
Jannilea Glasgow He backed up a perfect 50 off 67 deliveries, hitting seven boundaries and keeping hopes alive deep into the chase. At one stage the hosts looked poised for a narrow victory, needing a ball with wickets in hand.
But the turning point came with the Ranaweera experience. The left-arm spinner produced a match-winning spell of 4/44 from 10 overs, demolishing the middle order and disrupting crucial partnerships. Kavisha Dilhari and completed it with three important gates Dewmi Vihanga and Malki Madara each made a claim.
As the pressure mounted in the final, Sri Lanka held their nerve. West Indies Women lost their last wicket in a desperate attempt to gain momentum, eventually being bowled out for 230. Ranaweera was deservedly named Man of the Match for his game-changing four wickets.
This article was originally published here WomenCricket.coma Cricket Times company.
