Sri Lanka Women Secure Series Victory Over West Indies Women
Sri Lanka Women clinched a hard-fought 2-0 series victory over West Indies Women at St George’s on Sunday, February 22nd. The second ODI mirrored the first, with West Indies chasing a target under 250, a crucial half-century from Jannillea Glasgow, and ultimately falling short against a determined Sri Lankan side.
A Tight Contest and a Controversial Dismissal
After restricting Sri Lanka to 208 all out, West Indies found themselves in familiar territory – struggling at 100/5. However, a spirited effort from the lower order, particularly Jannillea Glasgow, threatened to steal the game. The match was marked by a contentious moment: the dismissal of West Indies’ Deandra Dottin for obstructing the field.
Facing Chamari Athapaththu, Dottin attempted a sweep, missed the ball, and then inexplicably tapped it with her bat while catching it with one hand. The Sri Lankan fielders immediately appealed, and after deliberation and a referral to the umpires, Dottin was given out. This pivotal moment significantly hampered West Indies’ chase.
Glasgow’s Resilience and Sri Lanka’s Bowling Prowess
Despite the loss of Dottin and Aaliyah Alleyne, Glasgow remained steadfast, forging a crucial partnership with Afy Fletcher. Even after Fletcher’s dismissal, Glasgow continued to fight, but ultimately fell on the last ball of the 48th over, ending her resistance.
Sugandika Kumari and Inoka Ranaweera were the stars with the ball for Sri Lanka, both claiming three wickets apiece. Ranaweera added to her impressive performance from the first ODI, showcasing her consistency and skill.
Sri Lanka’s Continued Success
This series win marks the second consecutive bilateral ODI series victory for Sri Lanka over West Indies, breaking a four-series losing streak dating back to 2024. It’s a testament to the team’s growth and resilience.
Brief Scores:
- Sri Lanka: 208 all out in 47.1 overs (Vishmi Gunaratne 58, Harshitha Samarawickrama 35; Karishma Ramharackh 3-26)
- West Indies: 194 all out in 48 overs (Jannillea Glasgow 50, Sugandika Kumari 3-38, Inoka Ranaweera 3-44)
Wellalage Thrives in Challenging Role
In a separate development, Dunith Wellalage has emerged as a key player for Sri Lanka, adapting remarkably to being thrust into the role of a new-ball bowler due to injuries within the team. Despite the absence of key players like Matheesha Pathirana and Wanindu Hasaranga, Wellalage has stepped up, showcasing maturity beyond his years.
“It was a challenge bowling during the Power Plays and the key was for me to deny the batsmen boundaries,” Wellalage stated. He has quickly become a vital asset, both with the ball and increasingly with the bat, demonstrating versatility and a willingness to embrace new challenges.
Afghanistan to Host Sri Lanka
Looking ahead, Afghanistan will host Sri Lanka for a multi-format white-ball series in March, with matches to be played in the UAE. The series will include three ODIs and three T20Is, providing both teams with valuable preparation for upcoming tournaments.
