Chamari Athapaththu showcased her brutal batting prowess, guiding Sri Lanka to a historic run-chase against South Africa in Potchefstroom. Her remarkable innings of 195 not out propelled Sri Lanka to victory, chasing down 302 runs with 33 balls to spare, thus leveling the three-match ICC Women’s Championship ODI series.
Athapaththu’s monumental score stands as the third-highest individual total in women’s ODIs, marking a significant milestone in her career and for Sri Lankan cricket. Her innings also ranks as the second highest in a successful run chase in ODI history, across both men’s and women’s cricket, closely trailing Glenn Maxwell’s 201* for Australia against Afghanistan in the 2019 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.
Meanwhile, Laura Wolvaardt continued her exceptional form against Sri Lanka, notching her second consecutive ODI century with an unbeaten 184. Despite her remarkable innings, South Africa fell short as Sri Lanka, led by Athapaththu’s brilliance, sealed the highest-ever successful run-chase in women’s ODIs.
Wolvaardt’s innings, the highest by a South African in women’s ODIs, momentarily held the record for the fourth-highest score in women’s ODIs, surpassing Athapaththu’s previous best of 178* against Australia in 2017.
This historic victory by Sri Lanka over South Africa marks a significant moment in women’s cricket, surpassing Australia’s decade-long record for the highest run-chase in women’s ODIs. Australia’s previous record chases include 289 against New Zealand in 2012 and 283 against India at the Wankhede in 2023.
Chamari Athapaththu: Shattering records and stealing hearts with every stroke!
⏩ Highest individual score in a chase
⏩ Record chase in ODIs pic.twitter.com/xnhXdYAlhR
— Cricfinity (@cricfinity) April 17, 2024
Source: ICC
