The Sri Lanka women’s cricket team crashed to 102 all out in 36.5 overs and subsequently lost to the visiting Australian team by 9 wickets in the 3rd ODI at the R Premadasa earlier today.
Australian skipper Meg Lanning won the toss and quite surprisingly put the home team in to bat on a characteristically dry pitch in Colombo. Sri Lanka had suffered horrendous starts in the previous 2 games with both openers falling for ducks and perhaps as a result, skipper Chamari Atapattu decided to move down the order. The home team’s fortunes seemed to change with the batting order as Prasadini Weerakkody, who had registered ducks in both the 1st and 2nd ODIs, got the team off to a brisk start as they raced to 37 off the 1st 5 overs.
Although leg-spinner Kristen Beams and medium pace bowler Grace Harris slowed things down, the new Sri Lankan opening pair of Nipuni Hansika and Prasadini Weerakkody brought up the team’s 50 in 11 overs, setting a good platform for Sri Lanka’s innings. Weerakkody was the dominant partner, making 31 off 37 while Hansika made 23 off 58 deliveries.
Photo Album: Sri Lanka Women v Australia Women – 3rd ODI
Weerakkody’s dismissal in the 12th over saw the home team collapse in a heap as they lost their entire side within the next 26 overs for just 52 runs. Apart from the openers, only Atapattu, batting at no. 4 today, made it to double figures.
The Southern Stars put in a much improved effort with the ball after conceding 50 extras in the 2nd ODI in Dambulla. Jess Jonassen’s 3/1 wrecked the home side’s middle order but it was truly an all-round effort as every one of the 6 bowlers used by Lanning picked up wickets.
Aussie openers Elyse Villani and Nicole Bolton picked up from where they left off in Dambulla, calmly taking the visitors within sight of the target before Bolton was dismissed for 35. A brisker start would have meant an end to the game before the lunch break but the Stars ensured that they did not give the Lankan spinners a foothold from which they could sneak their way into the game.
Lanning finished the game with a boundary as the Stars reached 104/1 in 27.3 overs to seal a comprehensive win and take an unassailable 3-0 lead in the 4 match series.
The 4th and final ODI is scheduled to take place this Sunday (25th) at the R Premadasa
