Windies Women crumble to spin as Sri Lanka level series
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (CMC) — West Indies Women suffered a six-wicket defeat against Sri Lanka Women in the second One-Day International (ODI) of a four-match series at the R Premadasa Stadium here yesterday.
The Windies women crumbled under spin attack to be all out for 124 in 42.3 overs, leaving the Sri Lankans to recover from a poor start before cruising to victory in 39.2 overs.
Stafanie Taylor played a brilliant innings to resurrect her side, but was unlucky, while captain Merissa Aguilleira ran out of partners.
Shashikala Siriwardene with an outstanding all-round performance and spin partner Maduri Samuddika wrecked the Windies innings, as both players took six wickets between them.
Taylor fell seven runs shy of a half-century while leading efforts at rebuilding an innings which slipped to 75 for two after the visitors chose to bat first.
In fact, West Indies slipped from 95 for 2 to 110 for 7 in five overs and were eventually bowled out for 124.
Taylor smashed five fours and faced 70 balls when she was run out on 43 after sharing an important 48-run partnership with Kycia Knight.
Knight hit two fours in her knock of 28 and featured in an opening stand of 27 with Hayley Matthews, who chipped in with 11.
Taylor also received support from Shemaine Campbelle in a 20-run stand for the third wicket.
Captain Merissa Aguilleira tried to carry on from where Taylor left off scoring a fighting 13 not out but was unable to build another meaningful partnership as the last four wickets fell for an additional 15 runs.
Off-break bowlers Siriwardene and Samuddika finished with 4-30, and 2-16, respectively.
Sri Lanka suffered an early setback after losing their openers by the 14th over and slumping to 46 for two.
Taylor took the catches to dismiss openers Lasanthi Madushani for 16 and Pradasani Weerakkody for 15 off deliveries from Afy Fletcher and Anisa Mohammed.
But victory was always in sight as Siriwardene backed up her 4 for 30 with an unbeaten 42 that steered Sri Lanka home with 64 balls to spare, helping them level the series one all.
