N.U. ABDUL RAZZAK UDAYAR
The 34-year-old dynamic captain, dependable opener and the great all-rounder of the women’s squad of Sri Lanka, Chamari Athapathu bravely scripted a massive win for Sri Lanka against the powerful South Africa when she gallantly made a power packed score of 195 not out off 139 balls with 26 fours and 5 sixers in the third and final One Day International that was played in Potchefstroom on 17th April 2024. This feat has made her to be the 3rd highest scorer in the ODI of women’s cricket. Actually these 6 wickets win over South Africa is a morale booster for Sri Lanka for it is actively getting ready to be in action in the ICC world Qualifier to be worked off in Abu Dhabi very shortly to get entry for the world cup to be staged in Bangladesh in September. Sri Lanka is scheduled in Group A with Scotland, Thailand, Uganda and United States. Certainly, it can show its dominance and superiority as Sri Lanka is well led and performs well.
The national women’s cricket squad of Sri Lanka that is presently on the tour of South Africa has finished off their 3 match ODI series quite successfully by levelling it. The third and final encounter between the giant South Africa and fast improving Sri-Lanka seemed to be beyond the reach of Sri Lanka as the South African Captain and dashing opener Laura Wolvaardt led their team from the front by helping them make their innings 305 for 5 wickets off their allotted 50 overs. Fearlessly, she sent the Lankan bowlers to the cleaners by smashing an unbeaten 184 off 147 runs. She was ably supported by her fellow opener Lara Goodall, (31) and middle order batters Marizanne Kapp (36) and Nadine de Klerk (35) who all reached their thirties to give a good support to their skipper to pose a challenging total of over 300 runs to the visiting Sri Lankans. For Sri Lanka, Kavisha Dilhari collected two wickets bringing some consolation.
In reply, Sri Lankan openers, Vishmi Gunaratne and 34-year-old lefty, former cricketer of Ibbagamuwa C.C and Gokarella C.C. accepted the challenge and put up a fine performance by scoring 90 runs for the first wicket. Then, this solid foundation was made unstable as South African lasses bounced back to the game by grabbing three wickets in quick succession, but the heroic Lankan Lioness, Chamari never looked back and continued her assault by becoming more aggressive collecting fours and sixes at her free will. Fortunately, the middle order bat, Nilkashi de Silva rose to the occasion and played an innings of patience with Chamari scoring an unbeaten half century off 71 deliveries. At the end, Sri Lanka comfortably beat South Africa by 6 wickets off 44.3 overs. In this series, the first one dayer was played on 9th April and that was ended in no decision due to wet weather. South Africa got 270 for 6 wickets and Sri Lanka were 23 for no wicket off 7 overs. In the second ODI, South Africa beat Sri Lanka as it chased the target of 229 runs losing only 3 wickets. Lankan Skipper, Chamari once again proved her batting prowess by getting 51 runs in this outing.
It is interesting to have a look at the career profile of Lankan Lioness Atapattu Mudiyanselage Chamari Jayangani who had her debut in the ODI in 2010. She has got 3513 runs with 9 centuries and 16 half centuries in the ODIs appearing in 101 matches while his performance in T20 is also impressive for he has secured 2731 runs in 125 matches. As a spinner, (Right Arm Off Break) he has got 29 wickets in the ODIs and 41 wickets in T20. Obviously, women’s cricket is getting developed by leaps and bounds with the hard work of coachers, selectors and others who are involved in this glorious game.
