Sri Lanka Women kicked off their tour of West Indies 2026 with a thrilling 10-run victory over West Indies Women in the first ODI at the Grenada National Cricket Stadium. In a contest that ebbed and flowed throughout the evening, it was composure under pressure and a match-defining spell from Inoka Ranaweera that ultimately separated the two sides.
After being put into bat by the hosts, Sri Lanka Women posted a competitive 240/6 in their allotted 50 overs. In reply, West Indies Women fought hard but were bowled out for 230 in 49.4 overs, falling agonisingly short despite a spirited chase.
Harshitha Samarawickrama and Hasini Perera anchor Sri Lanka’s solid total
Sri Lanka’s innings was built on patience and partnerships. Opener Hasini Perera provided a steady start with a well-crafted 61 off 86 balls, striking six boundaries and rotating the strike efficiently. Although skipper Chamari Athapaththu couldn’t convert her start, her 27 off 37 deliveries ensured early momentum.
The backbone of the innings, however, was Harshitha Samarawickrama’s composed 66 from 105 balls. She held the innings together through the middle overs, absorbing pressure and allowing others to bat around her. Contributions from Nilakshi de Silva and Kavisha Dilhari, both scoring 22, kept the scoreboard ticking.
A late flourish from Dewmi Vihanga, who smashed 14 off just six balls including a six, gave Sri Lanka crucial momentum in the final over and pushed the total to a competitive 240.
For West Indies Women, skipper Hayley Matthews and off-spinner Karishma Ramharack picked up two wickets apiece, while Aaliyah Alleyne and Deandra Dottin chipped in with one each. Despite disciplined spells from Shawnisha Hector and Chinelle Henry, the home side struggled to contain the flow of runs in the final stages.
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Stafanie Taylor and Jannillea Glasgow fight, but Inoka Ranaweera turns the game
Chasing 241, West Indies Women never quite found complete control of the run chase. Early wickets dented their momentum, with Matthews and Qiana Joseph departing cheaply. Veteran batter Stafanie Taylor then steadied the innings with a classy 66 off 83 balls, blending caution with timely aggression.
Jannillea Glasgow supported her well with a fluent 50 from 67 deliveries, striking seven boundaries and keeping hopes alive deep into the chase. At one stage, the hosts looked poised to pull off a narrow win, needing just over a run-a-ball with wickets in hand.
However, the turning point came through the experience of Ranaweera. The left-arm spinner delivered a match-winning spell of 4/44 from her 10 overs, dismantling the middle order and breaking crucial partnerships. Kavisha Dilhari complemented her with three important wickets, while Dewmi Vihanga and Malki Madara claimed one each.
As pressure mounted in the final overs, Sri Lanka held their nerve. West Indies Women lost their last wickets in a desperate attempt to accelerate, eventually being bowled out for 230. For her game-changing four-wicket haul, Ranaweera was deservedly named Player of the Match.
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
