West Indies women clinch T20I series 2-1 with win in third game

West Indies women celebrate winning T20I series 2-1 

West Indies women cricketers led by Hayley Matthews reserved their best performance of the tour of Sri Lanka for the last when they won the third and final WT20I by six wickets to clinch the three-match series 2-1 at the Mahinda Rajapaksa Cricket Stadium yesterday.

West Indies women end their tour of Sri Lanka with this victory. Having lost the WODI series 3-0 and the first WT20I, West Indies made a strong comeback in the final two WT20Is to beat Sri Lanka and take the series.

West Indies bowlers did well to keep Sri Lanka down to a total of 141-7 and then boosted by an opening stand of 60 off eight overs by Stafanie Taylor (33 off 30) and Matthews (49 off 40) and a fine contribution of 41* off 30 balls (3 fours, 2 sixes) from Shemaine Campbelle saw West Indies home with a ball to spare.

Earlier, a partnership of 55 between Chamari Athapaththu (38 off 38 balls, 3 fours, 3 sixes) and Harshitha Samarawickrama (28 off 26 balls, 4 fours) and 26 off 22 balls (4 fours) from Kavisha Dilhari saw Sri Lanka reach 91-2 before the middle order batting lost its way and allowed the West Indies bowlers to take control. 

The awards for the series were presented by match referee Michell Pereira.

Scores:

 Sri Lanka Women 141-7 (20) (Chamari Athapaththu 38, Harshitha Samarawickrama 28, Kavisha Dilhari 26, Aaliyah Alleyne 2/25, Afy Fletcher 2/25)

West Indies Women 142-4 (19.5) (Stafanie Taylor 33, Hayley Matthews 49, Shemaine Campbelle 41*, Kawya Kavindi 2/27)

Player of the Series Hayley Matthews (West Indies)

Player of the Match (1st WT20I) Chamari Athapaththu (Sri Lanka)