West Indies captain Hayley Matthews ripped through Sri Lanka’s top order with a devastating opening spell as the islanders were bowled out for 98 in 19.4 overs in their Group 2 fixture at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup at the County Ground in Bristol on Sunday.
Matthews struck in the very first over, removing Vishmi Gunaratne for one with a return catch, before sending back captain Chamari Athapaththu for two and Harshitha Samarawickrama for a duck in her second over. Sri Lanka slumped to 9 for three inside three overs after being put in to bat.
Nilakshika Silva — fresh from her match-winning unbeaten 54 against defending champions New Zealand at the Rose Bowl in Southampton — top-scored with 30 off 26 balls, holding the lower order together after the powerplay collapse. Kavisha Dilhari again led the middle-order resistance with 21 from 20 balls, Imesha Dulani contributed 17 off 19, and Kawya Kavindi battled for 17 off 28 before being stumped by Shemaine Campbelle.
Matthews and Karishma Ramharack finished with three wickets each, with Ramharack’s spin wrapping up the tail in identical 2-15 figures. Chinelle Henry, Aaliyah Alleyne, Ashmini Munisar and Afy Fletcher chipped in with a wicket apiece as West Indies bowled Sri Lanka out with two balls remaining.
Brief scores: Sri Lanka 98 all out in 19.4 overs (Nilakshika Silva 30, Kavisha Dilhari 21; Hayley Matthews 3-15, Karishma Ramharack 3-15) versus West Indies.
West Indies’ chase was well advanced when this report was filed, with the side at 86 for five after 14 overs and needing 13 more runs from 36 balls, according to ESPNcricinfo’s live scorecard. Former captain Stafanie Taylor was unbeaten on 23. A West Indies victory would be a significant setback for Sri Lanka’s semi-final hopes after their famous win over New Zealand earlier in the week. Sri Lanka opened their campaign with a defeat to England at Edgbaston.
Update — June 21 evening: West Indies win by five wickets
West Indies completed the chase in 16.1 overs to win by five wickets and keep their unbeaten record at the tournament intact, Ada Derana reported. Stafanie Taylor anchored the reply with an unbeaten 27 off 25 balls, striking one four and one six. Captain Hayley Matthews added 17, Deandra Dottin chipped in with 12, and Jannillea Glasgow finished on 10 not out from 15 balls to steer her side home.
Kavisha Dilhari was the pick of the Sri Lankan bowlers with 2 for 22 from her four overs, while Nimasha Meepage and captain Chamari Athapaththu took a wicket apiece. The defeat leaves Sri Lanka with one win and two losses in the group stage and dents their chances of reaching the semi-finals, with Athapaththu’s side now needing to win their remaining fixtures to stay in contention.
