Bristol, June 21: West Indies continued their unbeaten run in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup with a five-wicket victory over Sri Lanka at the County Ground in Bristol on Sunday, riding on captain Hayley Matthews’ incisive new-ball spell before overcoming a few stumbles in the chase to reach the 99-run target in 16.1 overs. The result lifted West Indies to three wins from as many matches, while Sri Lanka were left to rue another batting collapse and a series of costly lapses in the field.
After electing to bowl, Matthews ensured West Indies seized control almost immediately. She struck with the opening over by removing Vishmi Gunaratne for one with a sharp return catch, then returned to dismiss Chamari Athapaththu for two and Harshitha Samarawickrama for a duck in the space of four deliveries. Sri Lanka were reduced to 9/3 inside three overs and spent the remainder of the innings trying to rebuild.
Imesha Dulani briefly counterattacked with 17 off 19 balls, while Kavisha Dilhari attempted to stabilise the innings with a composed 21 from 20 deliveries. The pair put together a useful stand before Chinelle Henry broke through by removing Dulani, after which Aaliyah Alleyne produced a fine caught-and-bowled effort to send back Dilhari.
Sri Lanka slipped deeper into trouble when Ashmini Munisar trapped Kaushani Nuthyangana lbw for a first-ball duck, leaving the innings in tatters.
Nilakshika Silva then offered the only sustained resistance, top-scoring with 30 off 26 balls and guiding the lower order in an attempt to drag Sri Lanka towards a competitive total.
Kawya Kavindi contributed a patient 17, but regular wickets prevented Sri Lanka from building any momentum. Karishma Ramharack cleaned up the tail with a three-wicket haul, while Mithali Ayodhya was run out during a mix-up as Sri Lanka were dismissed for 98 in 19.4 overs.
Chasing a modest target, West Indies began steadily through Matthews and Deandra Dottin before Sri Lanka found a way back into the contest reducing West Indies to 36/2 at the end of the powerplay.
At 74/5 in the 12th over, West Indies had briefly opened the door for an unlikely Sri Lankan comeback.
However, the chase never spiralled out of control thanks to the calm presence of the experienced Stafanie Taylor. Anchoring the innings with an unbeaten 26, Taylor absorbed the pressure before rotating the strike effectively alongside Jannillea Glasgow to take West Indies home. (IANS)
