Sri Lanka showed composure under pressure to script a thrilling ten-run win over West Indies Women in the opening One-Day International (ODI), taking a 1–0 lead in the series at St George’s, Grenada. In a contest that swung repeatedly across both innings, Sri Lanka’s bowlers, led by the guile of Inoka Ranaweera held their nerve when it mattered most.
Asked to bat first, Sri Lanka Women posted a competitive 240 for 6, built on patience rather than power. Hasini Perera anchored the innings with a measured 61 off 86 balls, while Harshitha Samarawickrama provided stability at the other end, compiling 66 from 105 deliveries. Captain Chamari Athapaththu added 27 at the top, and the middle order ensured momentum never stalled, with Nilakshika Silva and Kavisha Dilhari rotating strike efficiently.
The late flourish came from Dewmi Vihanga, whose brisk 14 off just six balls lifted Sri Lanka beyond the 240 mark, a total that would ultimately prove decisive on a surface offering grip for spinners.
West Indies’ chase began unsteadily, and Ranaweera seized control with a spell that turned the match on its head. The left-arm spinner struck early to remove Shemaine Campbelle, followed by Chinelle Henry, before returning at a crucial stage to snap the 89-run partnership between Stafanie Taylor and Jannillea Glasgow. Her final dismissal of Shawnisha Hector in the closing overs sealed her standout figures of 4 for 44.
Taylor fought valiantly with a well-paced 66 off 83 balls, while Glasgow’s fluent 50 off 67 revived hopes after early losses. With Aaliyah Alleyne still at the crease, West Indies remained in contention, needing 18 from the final two overs and 12 from the last six balls.
Sri Lanka, however, kept their composure. Kavisha Dilhari complemented Ranaweera’s effort with three wickets, including two in the final over, as the hosts were bowled out for 230 in 49.4 overs.
The victory continues Sri Lanka’s recent dominance over West Indies in the format, marking their fourth ODI win against them in five encounters since 2017, and setting the tone for a fiercely contested series ahead.
