Sri Lankan women trounce Netherlands

Dilanka MANNAKKARA

It was finally a day that favoured the Lankans as Sri Lanka stamped their authority as favourites with a thunderous eight wicket win over a hapless Netherlands team.

Sri Lanka chased down a paltry target of 67 in 8.4 overs after demolishing the visitors for 72 in NCC grounds.

Skipper Dilani Manodara won the toss and wisely put the Dutch team to take the first lease of the track and her bowlers responded superbly right from the start of play. Being asked to bat, the Netherlands line-up managed just two double digit scores, the innings top contribution being 19 by opener Miranda Veringmeier.

Netherlands were troubled by the spin of Maduri Samuddika and Sandamali Dolawatta, the pair picking up two wickets apiece, but their wrecker-in-chief was left-armer Sherina Ravikumar who finished with 4 for 14 off her 10 overs. Sherina who is a 19 year old youngster proved her worth and stunned the Netherlands batwomen with impeccable accuracy.

The Sri Lanka batswomen then made short work of the chase, stroking 14 boundaries to win with all of 248 balls to spare. Deepika Rasangika slammed 24 of just 9 balls with three fours and two sixes while centurion from last game Chamari Atapattu made a brisk 32.

Sri Lanka women 72 for 2 (Atapattu 32) beat Netherlands women (Ravikumar 4-14) by 8 wickets.