The Sri Lanka spinners did the spadework, setting up a 171-run chase, and then a 159-run stand between Athapaththu and Vishmi Gunaratne took them home
ESPNcricinfo staff27-Jun-2023New Zealand are rated higher than Sri Lanka and are ahead of them on the Women’s Championship points table, but the combined might of their spinners and the peerless Chamari Athapaththu ensured that Sri Lanka started their ODI series, at home in Galle, with a comprehensive nine-wicket win.It was Sri Lanka’s first win over New Zealand in women’s cricket in any format, and included their highest stand for any wicket in women’s ODIs – 159 between Athapaththu and Vishmi Gunaratne – as well as an unbeaten 108 from just 83 balls from Athapaththu. In a match reduced to 28 overs per side because of morning rain, New Zealand put up a decent 170 for 5. But it took Athapaththu and Co just 27 overs to run it down.The two of them, Athapaththu and Gunaratne, played contrasting innings. While Athapaththu hit ten fours and five sixes in her unbeaten century – her seventh in the format – and scored at 130.12, her partner was more sedate, scoring her 50 at a strike rate of 67.56.
Chamari Athapaththu and Vishmi Gunaratne make history with a record-breaking 159 run partnership for Sri Lanka women's cricket team! #LionessRoar pic.twitter.com/UvJrqvJhzJ
— Sri Lanka Cricket (@OfficialSLC) June 27, 2023