Katunayake (Sri Lanka): Mithali Raj’s (125 n o, 143b, 14×4, 1×6) career-best knock was overshadowed by rival skipper Chamari Attapattu’s (115, 133b, 13×4, 4×6) fighting century as Sri Lanka women shocked India women by three wickets in the inconsequential third and final ODI here, Sunday. India had already sealed the series winning the first two games.
Chasing 254 runs to win Sri Lanka were led by Attapattu and Hasini Perera’s (45, 70b, 4×4, 2×6) gutsy knock to win the game with a ball to spare. The duo together shared a 101-run opening wicket partnership which really set the tone for the chase.
The Islanders were in a state of panic after Manshi Joshi (2/43) and Jhulan Goswami (2/39) picked up four quick wickets to trigger a middle order collapse but tail-enders Kavisha Dilhari (12 n o) and Sripali Weerakkody (14 n o) held their nerves to take Sri Lanka over the finish line.
Needed six runs from the final over, Kavisha smashed a four in the penultimate ball of the match off Deepti Sharma (0/45) to earn a consolatory win for the hosts.
Earlier, India rode on captain Mithali’s seventh ODI ton to set up a fighting total. After opener Jemimah Rodrigues (0) made an early exit, Mithali along with Smriti Mandhana (51, 62b, 6×4) steadied the ship with a 102-run second wicket partnership.
Brief scores: 253/5 (Mithali Raj 125 n o, Smriti Mandhana 51) lost to Sri Lanka 257/7 (Chamari Atapattu 115; Jhulan Goswami 2/39, Mansi Joshi 2/43) in 49.5 overs by three wickets.
