Nicole Bolton made her 2nd ODI century to help the Southern Stars to a massive 137 run victory over hosts Sri Lanka in the 4th and final ODI between the two sides, played at the R Premadasa Stadium earlier today.

An almost customary batting collapse by the Sri Lankans followed what was quite a promising stand between opener Prasadini Weerakkody and skipper Chamari Atapattu in their chase of 269. Sri Lanka had earlier lost Hasini Perera to Holly Ferling but Atapattu, who has floated up and down the order during the last two games and Weerakkody seemed somewhat in control, despite scoring at below the required rate. The hosts’ batting has been a major issue right throughout the series and true to form they went from 3/87 to 131 all out to lose by 137. There were no real noteworthy contributors to the chase apart from Weerakkody and Atapattu who made 33 and 26 respectively. Chamari Polgampola was the only other batter to get into double figures. What was most disappointing about the batting performance was that many of the batters fell to soft dismissals, either chipping the ball in the air or trying to clear the in-field.

Photo Album: Sri Lanka Women vs Australia Women – 4TH ODI

In the bowling department for Australia, Kristen Beams has been a real nightmare for the batters during the entire series and picked up 4/26 today to take her series tally to 13 wickets at an average of 17. Opening bowler Holly Ferling was also impressive once again, picking up 3 wickets. However, despite the win, the Stars will no doubt be disappointed with the bowlers discipline once again as they gave away 26 extras, 18 of which were wides.

Earlier in the day, Australian skipper Meg Lanning won the toss for the 3rd consecutive occasion and decided to bat 1st on what looked like a pretty flat wicket at the Khettarama. Elyse Villani and Nicole Bolton got the Stars off to yet another solid start as they put on 48 for the 1st wicket. The good work continued after Villani’s dismissal as Lanning joined Bolton to put together 72 for the 2nd wicket. The best partnership of the series followed as Bolton and Ellyse Perry smashed 140 in under 25 overs to put the game well beyond the reach of Sri Lanka. Perry made a run a ball 77, her 1st half century of the series.

The bowlers for Sri Lanka struggled to get the ball in the right spots, particularly in the latter part of the innings, as the Aussies took 90 off the last 10 overs. Atapattu managed to pick up 2 wickets but pretty much every other bowler proved to be ineffectual.

With this loss, Sri Lanka have now missed their opportunity to move up the ICC Women’s Championship table in which they are currently in 8th position.

The final game of the tour, the only T20I will take place on the 27th of September at the SSC grounds. 

schoolscricketcrawler