Sri Lanka Whitewash West Indies in Women's ODI Series

Sri Lanka's women's cricket team secured a historic 3-0 series whitewash against the West Indies in the third ODI in Hambantota, thanks to a comprehensive 160-run victory.

Chamari Athapaththu, Nilakshika Silva, and Anushka Sanjeewani led the way for Sri Lanka with half-centuries, while Sachini Nisansala claimed a maiden five-wicket haul to dismantle the West Indies batting lineup.

Chasing Sri Lanka's imposing total of 275 for 6, the West Indies struggled from the outset. Rashada Williams and Shemaine Campbell were dismissed cheaply, leaving Chedean Nation and Stafanie Taylor to rebuild the innings. The pair put on a 57-run partnership, but Taylor's dismissal triggered a collapse.

Athapaththu removed Nation, and Nisansala took over with her slow left-arm orthodox bowling. She trapped Zaida James leg before, and Chinelle Henry, Afy Fletcher, and Qiana Joseph all fell in quick succession. Aaliyah Alleyne's cameo ended when she chipped one back to Nisansala, completing her five-wicket haul.

Earlier, Sri Lanka's openers, Athapaththu and Vishmi Gunaratne, put on a 93-run stand. Gunaratne fell for 44, but Athapaththu continued to anchor the innings. She shared a 57-run partnership with Nilakshika before being dismissed for 91.

Nilakshika and Sanjeewani then took control, adding 117 runs for the fifth wicket. Sanjeewani (55) and Nilakshika (63) fell in the final over, but Sri Lanka had already amassed a formidable total.

The West Indies' bowlers struggled to contain Sri Lanka's batters, with Ramharack taking 2 for 46 as the most successful bowler. The victory marks Sri Lanka's first-ever series whitewash against the West Indies and is a testament to the team's growing strength in women's cricket.

Tags: #SriLankaCricket, #WestIndiesCricket, #Women'sODI, #ChamariAthapaththu, #SachiniNisansala