West Indies Women comfortably defeated Sri Lanka Women in the third and final One-Day International to win the three-match series 2-1. The Windies battled hard to make 191-9 off their 50 overs and then bowled and fielded brilliantly, including four run outs. This helped to limit the home side to 158-9 off their 50 overs as the World Number 2 team got home by 33 runs at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium.
Head Coach Sherwin Campbell lauded his players for their fighting spirit during the series and for achieving their first overseas win against a side ranked in the Top 8.
“This was a fantastic total team performance by the girls and everyone deserves huge congratulations for what they did here today. We didn’t get a major contribution with the bat, but everyone chipped in and got us up to a very competitive total on this pitch,” Campbell said.
“Then when we fielded it was absolutely brilliant. Players were diving around to save every run and you could see the commitment and desire to win. This is the kind of effort we have become accustomed to seeing and this kind of performance is another great learning experience for this young team. We are among the top ranked teams in the world now and we are playing like a top team.”
The Player-of-the-Match award went to pint-sized allrounder Shemaine Campbelle. She batted at Number 8 and topscored with 37 off 44 balls. She later returned with the ball to take a wicket. This followed up her superb century in the previous match. The leading bowler was seamer Tremayne Smartt, who fought off illness to take 2-26 off her 10 overs.
“When we batted we had contributions all the way down and that was pleasing to see. Everyone who batted looked to apply themselves and build an innings. Shemaine played really well again for us. She made a hundred in the second match and we lost, now she got 38 in a winning cause so I’m happy for her,” added Campbell, a former West Indies opener and vice captain.
“We will now prepare for the T20s and look to win those as well. That series will be another opportunity to develop and show more growth as individuals and as a team. I like what I’m seeing from this team.”
The two teams travelled to Colombo from Dambulla on Tuesday night. The five-match T20 series will be played at the R Premadasa Stadium. The first match is on Friday morning.
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