Chamari Athapaththu and her Sri Lankan brigade scripted history on Wednesday (April 17) as they hammered South Africa by six wickets to finish the three-match ODI series on level terms 1-1.
Sri Lanka scripted history at the Senwes Park in Potchefstroom as they chased down 302 in the third ODI to register the highest successful run chase in womens ODI history.
Sri Lankas magnificent chase brought an 11 and more-year-old record to dust. Before Sri Lankas heroics, Australia held the record for the highest successful run chase in ODIs. Jodie Fields Australia had remarkably chased down 289 at the North Sydney Oval on December 14, 2012, and the record breathed its last on Wednesday.
Sri Lankas skipper Chamari Athapaththu also recorded a personal milestone to savour. The 34-year-old star batter registered the third-highest individual score in womens ODIs as she smashed 195 off 139 balls.
Her marathon knock saw her take the South African bowlers to the cleaners. She smashed 26 fours and five maximums during the course of her sublime knock.
Chamaris previous individual best was 178 and came against Australia in Bristol on June 29, 2017.
Notably, Chamaris glorious ton eclipsed Laura Wolvaardts herculean effort of 184 off 147 balls. The South African skipper set the tone with the bat for the hosts first up and recorded her highest ODI score and the fifth highest in the history of womens ODI cricket.
Wolvaardts knock was studded with 23 fours and four maximums and provided the momentum South Africa craved after being sent into bat first in the series decider. Laura set up a 116-run stand alongside her opening partner Lara Goodall (31 runs off 55 balls) and batted right till the end to take the Proteas over 300.
Meanwhile, Sri Lankas win has given them crucial points on the ICC Womens Championship 2022-25 table and they are now placed at the seventh spot. Teams that finish in the top five on the table will automatically qualify for the Womens ODI World Cup 2025 alongside the hosts India.
