DAMBULLA, Sri Lanka, CMC – West Indies women performed brilliantly in the field to secure a series win after clinching a 33-run victory over Sri Lanka in the third One Day International (ODI) in Dambulla yesterday.
The in-form Shemaine Campbelle hit a top score of 37 to lead the effort after a series of batting collapses jearpordised the Windies run rate.
Excellent bowling by Tremayne Smartt who had figures of 2 for 26 from her 10 overs and four run-outs dealt a major blow to Sri Lanka’s chase.
West Indies stumbled to 191 for 9 in their 50 overs and successfully defended their modest total as Sri Lanka could only muster 158 for nine wickets in their 50 overs.
Sri Lanka made good on their decision to field and reduced West Indies to 51 for 4 within 15 overs.
Stafanie Taylor was off to a good start but could not continue and was caught for 18, Kycia Knight made 14 and June Ogle Thomas 9.
Eshani Kaushalya and Chamani Seneviratna grabbed two wickets each to stiffle the Windies run rate.
But Captain Merissa Aguilleira and Deandra Dottin staged a middle order rally to pull the visitors back on course in a stand that procuded 42 runs until Aguilleirra was stumped for 29.
Campbelle’s knock of 37, in 44 balls, included four fours and featured in partnerships with Kyshona Knight and Shakera Selman that took the Caribbean side to 191.
Sri Lanka got off to a cautious start but suffered a major setback after both their openers were dismissed within four runs, at 31 and 35.
West Indies lifted their game in the field refusing to allow Sri Lanka to settle by taking wickets at regular intervals.
Smartt took two wickets out of the five which also included three run-outs, of Dilani Manodara, Eshani Kaushalya and Chamani Seneviratna.
Sri Lanka were at one point fighting to pick up the pace at 128 for 7.
Only Shashikala Siriwardene provided resistance with a 78-ball 29 but could not avoid the series defeat.
