Regardless of the return of talismanic captain Hayley Matthews from damage, the West Indies Ladies’s cricket staff was unable to interrupt their shedding streak, succumbing to a four-wicket defeat in opposition to Sri Lanka Ladies within the opening Twenty20 Worldwide.
Enjoying on the Mahinda Rajapaksa Worldwide Stadium, the 26-year-old Matthews, who had missed the final two One-Day Internationals of the previous collection, top-scored with a run-a-ball 30, together with 5 fours. Her efforts helped her struggling aspect submit 134 for eight of their allotted 20 overs.
Sri Lanka Ladies, in response, had been led by Vishmi Gunaratne and Harshitha Samarawickrama, who every scored 35 runs, efficiently chasing down the goal with eight balls to spare, taking a 1-0 lead within the three-match collection.
The chase had its ups and downs, with Sri Lanka comfortably positioned at 60 for one within the tenth over earlier than slipping to 116 for six within the seventeenth over, placing them at risk of defeat. Nonetheless, Nilakshika Silva (17 not out) and Ama Kanchana (seven not out) managed to stabilize the innings, placing on a vital 21-run partnership for the unbroken seventh wicket to safe the win.
Early setback
Opting to bat first, West Indies Ladies confronted an early setback when veteran Stafanie Taylor was injured at 9 with out loss within the third over. Qiana Joseph then joined Matthews, hitting three fours and a six in her 18-ball 20, extending the primary wicket stand to 40.
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Joseph was bowled by off-spinning captain Chamari Athapaththu (4-29) within the seventh over, and Shemaine Campbelle fell cheaply for 5, lbw to off-spinner Priyadharshani Fernando (3-28), leaving the West Indies at 50 for 2 within the ninth over.
Matthews and Chedean Nation (8) added 27 for the third wicket, whereas Alleyne and Afy Fletcher (14 not out) put collectively a 33-run partnership for the seventh wicket, pushing the guests to their eventual complete.
In Sri Lanka’s reply, they misplaced Athapaththu for one within the third over, caught at deep mid-wicket by Matthews. Nonetheless, Gunaratne and Samarawickrama steadied the ship with a 46-run, second-wicket stand. Samarawickrama then partnered with Hasini Perera (20) for a 24-run fourth-wicket stand, edging the house aspect nearer to victory.
