First Sri Lankan player in history to hold the top spot in the women’s ODI player rankings is Chamari Athapaththu
The skipper of Sri Lanka, Chamari Athapaththu, accomplished a unique accomplishment by becoming the first representative of her nation to hold the top rank in the ICC Women’s ODI Player Rankings. Following her amazing batting performance, which helped her country defeat New Zealand 2-1 in the just finished series, the rankings were announced on Tuesday.
Athapaththu’s outstanding series versus New Zealand was a breathtaking exhibition of talent that netted her 248 runs overall over the course of three games. Her incredible score of 140 runs unbeaten off only 80 deliveries in the last game was crucial in helping her team win the unexpected series.
This historic victory, the first time Sri Lanka has beaten New Zealand in a bilateral women’s ODI series, is partly down to their inspiring captain Athapaththu’s outstanding play.
The 33-year-old batswoman hammered an undefeated 108 in the first game of the three-game series, setting the tone for the subsequent games. The assured left-hander didn’t let a first-ball duck in the second set stop her as she went into the pivotal game with unflinching intensity.
Athapaththu’s thrilling performance saw her smash nine huge sixes in quick succession, helping her and colleague Nilakshi de Silva put up an astounding 190 runs for the third wicket. This is Sri Lanka’s highest-ever women’s ODI partnership.
By pulling off this incredible accomplishment, Athapaththu joined male compatriot Sanath Jayasuriya as the only players from Sri Lanka to have ever held the coveted No. 1 position in the history of ODI rankings for batting. She also took the top place in the women’s ODI rankings. Only two other Sri Lankan athletes—left-arm seam bowler Udeshika Prabodhani (T20I bowling) and all-rounder Shashikala Siriwardene (T20I all-rounders)—have earned the top place in the women’s rankings, both in 2014.
On the other side, Kavisha Dilhari has made great progress, moving up 19 spots to take over the 37th batters’ spot, while Prabodhani’s outstanding performance has propelled her up 14 spots to take over the 32nd bowlers’ spot. These outstanding developments show how competitive Sri Lanka’s female cricket players are becoming internationally.
