Skipper Chamari Atapattu (right) and Harshitha Samarawickrama who put up a match winning 143 runs unbroken stand making a run. ( pix courtesy SLC)

Openers Chamari Atapattu (80) and Harshitha Samarawickrama (49) put on a remarkable unbroken 143 runs partnership while leg spinner Inoka Ranaweera took 3 for 15 as Sri Lanka women recorded a comfortable 10 wickets win over fancied New Zealand women’s in their third and final T-20 cricket fixture played at P. Sara Oval Stadium yesterday.

It was a superb batting display by two openers while skipper Chamari who was named ICC ODI rank number one batter once again showed her power cracking unbeaten 80 to anchor the innings to an easy win. Young Harshitha Samarawickrama who played a good supporting role made unbeaten 49 in 40 balls with 7 fours. Atapttu who reached her fifty in just 25 balls which also the fastest Sri Lanka women’s T-20 fifty. The pair Harshitha and Chamari easily became the highest T-20 partnership by any Sri Lankan pair. Two batters chasing a target of 141 reached it in 14.3 overs while Chamari was named the Player of the Match.

Skipper Chamari Atapattu said this was must win game to get winning mentality before the England series and our girls did really well to restrict them to 140. “Both myself and Harshitha played good innings to seal the win. We were committed to win last game after correct our mistakes while all players did their part really well during both ODI and T-20 series which gave good confidence to all. I wanted to thank our coaching staff which made tremendous support to play this series, added skipper Atapattu.

Earlier New Zealand women invited to bat first but Sri Lankan bowlers bowled well to restrict opponents to a lower score. The experienced opener Suzie Bates 37 in 38 balls with 6 fours and her new partner wicket keeper 19 year old Izabella Gaze (13) who played her first match of the series added 43 runs stand. First breakthrough for Sri Lanka came through leg spinner Inoka Ranaweera and Gaze was clean bowled at 6.1 overs. The inform batter Amelia Kerr scored 14 and her wicket took by leg spinner Sugandika Kumari. Skipper Sophie Deveni was the highest scorer unfortunately was out just four runs away her half century hit 46 in 25 balls with 2 fours and 3 sixes. Leg spinner Inoka Ranaweera accounted her second wicket at 18.1 overs and very next ball Hanna Row was out first ball duck to get back to back wickets. Leggie Ranaweera finished best figures of 3 for 15 in her 4 over spell and New Zealand women were restricted to 140 for 9 wickets in 20 overs. Sugandika Kumari also took 2 for 23 and gave a fine supporting role to Inoka Ranaweera.

New Zealand opener Suzie Bates who was among the runs was adjudged Player of the Series and said their performance was very high during first two T-20’s to win the series but Skipper Chamari Atapattu was outstanding to win the last game.

Sri Lanka women’s won OD I series 2-1 earlier at Galle while New Zealand fought back to win 2-1 win at T-20 series.

Chief scores

New Zealand women’s 140 for 9 wickets in 20 overs Suzie Bates 37 , Isebella Gaze 13 , Amelia Kerr 14, Sophie Deveni 46, Maddy Green 10, Sugandika Kumari 2/23, Inoka Ranaweera 3/15

Sri Lanka women’s 143 for no loss in 14.3 overs Harshitha Samarawickrama 49*, Chamari Atapattu 80*